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FACTS, NOT FEAR.
Feeding your baby shouldn’t be confusing – a recent increase in headlines and online chats about formula and its ingredients should be a good thing, but when some of the information isn’t accurate, that’s not helpful to parents. We’re not here to tell you how or what to feed your baby. We’re here to make sure that whatever path you choose, you’re armed with facts and not fear.
WHY US?
Our founder, Edward Mead Johnson, was the original baby advocate: When his son was born with a condition that made it difficult for him to digest his feedings, he worked with Dr. Abraham Jacobi (known as the father of American pediatrics) to create the first scientifically-based infant formula that saved his son’s life. Reflecting this legacy, Mead Johnson Nutrition, made up of pediatricians, scientists, researchers, dietitians and other medical experts, established a science institute focused on infant nutrition. After 120 years, this group of experts has learned a lot about formula and wants to be a helpful source to give parents Facts About Formula.
WHAT WE'RE SERVING
What’s really in formula, and why it’s there
The science behind how it supports your baby’s growth
What’s true, what’s not, and how to spot misinformation
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MEET OUR EXPERTS
Insights from scientists, pediatricians and infant nutrition specialists on a mission to give families clear, trustworthy information.
ALAYNE GATTO
Board-Certified Pediatric Specialist + Fellow, Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics
EXPLORE THE FACTS
Some frequently-asked questions about ingredients in baby formula, answered by our experts.
Carbohydrates are a key energy source for babies. In fact, about 40% of the calories in breast milk come from lactose, a natural milk sugar. Most standard infant formulas use lactose to mimic this.
But some babies have trouble digesting lactose, or need a special formula for dietary reasons. In those cases, formulas may use other safe, well-studied carbohydrates like corn syrup, corn syrup solids, maltodextrin, or sucrose. These ingredients provide energy without lactose, and meet all FDA safety standards.
It’s important to note that corn syrup used in infant formula is not the same as high fructose corn syrup found in sodas or candy. They’re processed differently and serve a specific purpose to help babies digest carbohydrates.
Fats are crucial for your baby’s growth, brain development, and immune system. Just like breast milk, about half the calories in infant formula come from fat.
Many formulas use a blend of plant-based oils (often vegetable or seed oils) to provide essential fatty acids like linoleic acid (LA) and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), which babies can’t make on their own. These fats help build healthy cells and support brain development.
In fact, seed oils — like sunflower, soybean, and safflower oil — are found in many of the foods adults eat every day, from salad dressings to baked goods. In infant formula, they’re carefully selected and precisely balanced to deliver the same types of healthy fats found in breast milk. That balance is guided by decades of research into what babies need to grow and thrive.
HMOs, or human milk oligosaccharides, are special carbohydrates naturally found in breast milk. They help feed good bacteria in a baby’s gut and support a developing immune system.
While HMOs aren’t required in infant formula, many modern formulas add them to get closer to the unique profile of breast milk.
At the Mead Johnson Nutrition Institute, scientists have studied the role of HMOs for decades, helping develop ways to create them through carefully controlled processes — not by using human milk itself. This allows infant formulas to include HMOs that mimic the structure and benefits found in breast milk, supporting a baby’s developing gut and immune system.
Both U.S. and European formulas are carefully created to support healthy infant growth and must meet strict safety and nutrition standards. They often use many of the same key ingredients like cow’s milk proteins, carbohydrates, vegetable and seed oils, added DHA to support brain development, and essential vitamins and minerals.
But there are some differences, mostly tied to geographical regulations and nutritional guidelines:
• Regulatory process: In the U.S., infant formula is one of the most closely monitored foods. New formulas must go through extensive testing, including both preclinical and clinical studies, and must be reviewed by the FDA before they can be sold. European countries have their own requirements, but the process for introducing new formulas can be different.
• Nutrient levels: European rules require DHA (an omega-3 fat that helps with brain and eye development) in all infant formulas, while in the U.S. adding DHA is optional, though many formulas include it based on decades of supportive research. U.S. formulas also often have higher iron levels, which helps prevent anemia.
• Slight differences in composition: You may notice small variations in the amount or type of certain vitamins, minerals, or carbohydrates, depending on local guidelines and nutritional standards. For example, European regulations set a lower maximum for iron than U.S. formulas, which can mean slightly different iron levels between the two. Iron is an essential nutrient that supports healthy growth and brain development.
• Availability: Supply chain interruptions can impact availability of European formulas in the U.S. Current tariff discussions may also impact both price and availability. To ensure consistent availability of formula and avoid having to switch, look for a U.S. formula with added DHA, or a U.S. specialty formula if your baby has allergy or digestion issues.Despite these differences, both U.S. and European formulas are designed to be safe, complete sources of nutrition for babies.
Reports about heavy metals in our food supply often create unnecessary concern. The truth is, trace amounts of heavy metals (including the scary sounding ones like lead or arsenic) occur naturally in soil, water and air. Not only can they be found in breast milk, but they’re found in many foods that we eat, including fruits, vegetables, grains.
What matters isn’t whether heavy metals are present — because they almost always are. It’s the amount that counts. Clickbait worthy headlines often forget to mention that!
U.S. infant formula is rigorously tested and finished products are kept to levels as low as possible, and often well below regulatory requirements. Any suggestion that a parent could or should find a formula without trace amounts of naturally occurring heavy metals is irresponsible.Nutritionally, all U.S. formulas must meet the same standards to support your baby’s health. There is no scientific evidence to suggest that organic formulas offer any additional benefits to an infant. In fact, some formulas labeled “organic” may still contain processed ingredients, depending on the certifier. All U.S. formulas are antibiotic free. Additionally, many non-organic formulas include additional beneficial components, like specific probiotics or DHA that do offer proven benefits for babies. Choosing a formula labeled organic is a lifestyle choice and often impacts the price.
From a nutrition perspective, there’s not a big difference. Both whole milk and skim milk are used in infant formulas to provide important proteins and carbohydrates that help support your baby’s growth.
The main distinction is in the milk fat. Whole milk contains its natural milk fat, while skim milk has that fat removed. When skim milk is used in formula, manufacturers carefully blend in other oils, like sunflower or soybean oil, to create a balance of fats similar to what’s found in breast milk.Formulas that start with whole milk still include added plant-based oils to ensure babies get the essential omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids they need.
No matter which type of milk is used, every infant formula sold in the U.S. must meet strict FDA standards for nutrition and safety standards shaped by decades of research into what babies need to grow and thrive. At the end of the day, whether a formula uses whole milk or skim milk often comes down to how it’s crafted to best support your baby’s needs — and sometimes, simply to family preference.Feeding your baby means making choices about nutrition, and some of the ingredients you see on formula labels—like DHA and MFGM—can raise questions. Here’s what to know about these important nutrients and how they support your baby’s growth and development.
DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) is a type of omega-3 fat that plays a big role in your baby’s brain and eye development. It’s one of the key building blocks for the cells in the brain and nervous system, which is why getting DHA early in life is so important.
Meanwhile, MFGM (milk fat globule membrane) is a natural, nutrient-rich membrane that surrounds every fat droplet in breast milk. It’s packed with fats and proteins that help support your baby’s brain development and immune system.
In the United States, infant formula is one of the most heavily regulated foods. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) sets strict standards for nutrients, quality, safety testing, manufacturing, and labeling. In fact, there are even federal laws in place to make sure infant formula is safe and nutritionally complete.
Formulas can’t be sold in the U.S. unless they meet precise FDA requirements — from how they’re made to how they’re stored and tested. Many companies also go above and beyond by testing every ingredient for quality and adding extra safety checks on the final formula.
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