The Truth Behind Aluminum in HiPP Formula
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Over the years, I have talked with so many of you about finding the best organic formula for your baby. After I gave birth to my daughter, I did extensive research trying to find the best baby formula to supplement with – because contrary to myths about motherhood, breastfeeding was not easy for me! Through my research, I came across HiPP, Holle, and Lebenswert, and eventually other great options like Hypoallergenic Formula, Kabrita USA, Holle Goat Formula, and the variations on HiPP like: HiPP Dutch, HiPP UK, HiPP Germany, and HiPP PRE.
HiPP Formulas, and more specifically HiPP Dutch, is the best organic formula on the market today. But in 2013, one study was done that indicated HiPP had high levels of aluminum – that naturally many of us (including myself!) were concerned about.
So what’s a concerned mama to do?? MORE RESEARCH! I dug into the questions surrounding HiPP, and thought this post about the truth behind aluminum in HiPP formula would be helpful to all of you.
Is There Aluminum in HiPP Formula?
Here’s what I’ve found.
To start: Here is the study again, and here is an article published about the study.
The highest amount of aluminum found in HiPP was 411 μg/L, which is equal to 0.4 mg/L or 0.4 mg/kg. So there is aluminum in HiPP formula, but is that a problem? Here are the facts:
- Aluminum is one of the most common, abundant metallic elements on the planet, and exposure to aluminum in small amounts has not been proven to be harmful.
- Aluminum makes up 8% of the Earth’s crust and is found naturally in foods like spinach, potatoes and even tea.
- Here is the amount of aluminum occurring in natural, healthy foods compared to HiPP? “Beef, poultry, ham, eggs and fresh fruits have about 1 mg/kg or less of aluminum, according to a report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The aluminum in different types of fish ranges between 0.1 and 6 milligrams per kilogram. Most fresh vegetables contain 1 to 4 milligrams per kilogram, except for spinach, which has five times more. Tea leaves are one of the rare plants with a very high aluminum content, but not all of it leeches into the water when you prepare a cup of tea. You may get as much as 3.6 milligrams of aluminum per liter of steeped tea. This is about the same amount as fruit juice, but it’s four times higher than coffee and other beverages.” (source). So basically, if your baby is eating regular, healthy food, they are getting more aluminum from that than was found in HiPP.
What does the study about aluminum in HiPP tell us?
Here are my thoughts:
Not only was there just one study (done over 5 years ago), no follow ups, and no verifications of the issue from other sources but the study didn’t even test all the formulas (like Holle wasn’t included). The amount of aluminum found in HiPP is far less than what’s in normal, healthy foods. Apparently all of the aluminum levels were all within current guideline limits and there was no evidence they were harmful to children, especially since, again, there is aluminum in food, drinking water/etc.
I also contacted HiPP and here is what they said: “HiPP analyses all the critical raw materials for aluminum contamination on a very regular basis and selects the raw materials with the lowest levels possible to ensure we are providing the safest products possible for babies. The level in our products is kept as low as technically and practicably possible. The level of aluminum in raw materials fluctuates widely as it is an abundant metal in the earth, and this is something we have little control over. The levels of aluminum mentioned in the published studies only show a ‘snap-shot’ of levels in products and other batches of products, not tested, could very easily have much lower levels. At HiPP we have done analysis of final products and generally the content of aluminum has been found to below the detection limit of 0.5mg/kg powder (much lower than the values found in the study).” They also sent along a statement issued by the SNE (former: IDACE) concerning aluminum in infant nutrition. HiPP posted a more detailed public statement which you can read here.
Based on all of this, I didn’t see the aluminum as a big issue. I used HiPP with both of my kids and they did great on it. But ultimately – I’d say go with whichever formula you are the most comfortable with and you should absolutely talk to your pediatrician if you have any concerns or questions. As for where to purchase European baby formulas, I’m in personal contact with the owners of all 6 of these companies: The Milky Box, Organic’s Best, Baby Milk Bar, Bottles & Burps, Organic Formula Shop, and Organic Baby Food, and I feel comfortable recommending them to you. Even if you don’t go with HiPP, there are plenty of great organic formula options that you can choose for your little one!
Some of the items below were given to me to review by the manufacturer or as part of an affiliate program. I may receive commissions if you make a purchase through the links provided. I only recommend products I’ve actually evaluated, I believe are the highest quality, and can do the most to help you and your family. By purchasing any of these products from the links below, you help keep this blog running, so thanks for your support!
Please note that The Picky Eater is not responsible for the quality of the formula or the experience of ordering from any of these sellers listed in this post. Personally, based on my own research, if I were buying European formula for my own child, I would feel comfortable and confident ordering it from The Milky Box, Organic’s Best, Baby Milk Bar, Bottles & Burps, Organic Formula Shop, and Organic Baby Food,
Hi! Which European formula is somewhat similar to Gerber Good Start Gentle?
Thank you!
Hi Maria! I’d say HiPP HA is pretty close to Gerber Good Start Gentle! Hope that helps!
Hi Anjali
What would the equivalent be for Enfamil Nutramigen, for a 7 week old baby? Thanks in advance.
Hi There! There isn’t an exact equivalent to Nutramigen from HiPP, but the closest formula options are HiPP HA and HiPP Comfort. You can read more about each of them in this post. Hope that helps!
Can HIPP formula help baby to gain weight? I have tried so many formulas but my baby boy is not growing as well as I expected.
Hi Bridgette! If your baby is not doing well on their current formula, then HiPP might help your baby to drink more formula (because it has a better taste than many formulas), which in turn would help your baby to gain weight. But HiPP itself isn’t going to have more calories than a typical formula, so in that sense, if your baby doesn’t drink enough of it, your baby still may not gain enough weight. I’d recommend talking with your pediatrician about why your baby may not be gaining weight and get their thoughts on the best options for your little one!
Hy Anjali thanks for sharing such informative post with us. its very helpful for all of the new mommies. I have my 8 months old baby girl on HIPP formula for almost 4 months now. At first i was panicking reading labels thinking about what if its not good for her.. Did a lot of research online and started getting it from online store. It turned out fine for me. My daughter has enjoyed feeding on the formula and is growing nice and healthy and I am satisfied.
I’m so happy to hear that Katherine!
Hi!
Was the aluminum found in all the HiPP formulas?
Hi Dana! All of the types of HiPP Formulas (Infant, Stage 2, Nighttime, Growing Up Milk, etc.) were tested but I don’t know if only the UK versions were tested or if all of the versions from all of the countries HiPP produces formula in were tested. But again, like I mentioned in the article, the study was done in 2013 and was very limited so I (personally) wouldn’t put much stock into it!
Hipp Dutch you also recommend as best for 7 month babies? Thanks so much for your time! Baby 6.5 months and mama is about to kill me if she has to breastfeed more!! Haha
Hi Josh! Yes absolutely, you can use HiPP Dutch all the way until your baby is 1 year old!
Thanks, would you know if the ingredients in hipp Spain are the same? They look like it?
Hi Josh! I haven’t seen a translated ingredient list for HiPP Spain yet, but I would imagine the ingredients are either the same or very very close!
Are you a bigger fan of hipp Dutch 1 or 2? We got some stage 2 (baby 7.5 months) but looks like only Stage 1 has DHA, and she can get iron from foods… thoughts?
Hi Josh! Good question. I think HiPP Dutch Stage 2 actually does have DHA (because every label I’ve seen lists Omega 3s on it). But the actual ingredients list translated doesn’t always show DHA. That said, you can certainly stay on Stage 1 up to 1 year of age if your pediatrician is ok with it and if your baby is eating a wide variety of solid foods. Alternatively you can switch to Stage 2, and if it doesn’t include DHA, you can always add this DHA supplement from Nordic Naturals to your baby’s bottles. Hope that helps!
Thank you for posting this information!
I was wondering if you had any suggestions for a vegan formula that is safe for babies? I have been reading that the soy based formulas have the highest concentration of aluminum. Is this something to be concerned about? Is there a vegan formula that has least amount of aluminum?
Thank you in advance for your time.
Best regards,
Anna
Hi Anna! Unfortunately no, I don’t have a good recommendation on a vegan formula that is soy-free and safe for babies. I don’t love soy formulas for infants, not only because of the risk of heavy metals, but also because too much soy exposure early in life can be problematic (example study here – but there are many others as well). If you are a strict vegan and cannot use any dairy based formulas, then I’d recommend either trying to breastfeed or see if you can use donor breastmilk until age 1, and then after age 1 you can use plant-based whole milks for your baby! Hope that helps, let me know if you have any other questions!
Hi! I have a 9 month old who I’m switching from Happy Baby formula to Hipp Dutch due to recent concerns for heavy metals found in Happy Baby. I am wondering about adding a DHA supplement. Do you have one you recommend and should I be concerned with mercury in DHA additives?
Hi Barnett! If you’re switching to HiPP Dutch, there’s DHA included in that formula so you don’t really need to worry about supplementing! But if your pediatrician recommends supplementing, I’d go with Nordic Naturals Infant DHA. Hope that helps!
Hello!!
I had followed your previous blogs on formula and came back today when I was about to reorder for my son…I am soooo very glad I remembered and visited your page again. Not only did I make the switch from German HiPP Pre to HiPP Dutch 1&2 confidently but I saved a boatload of $$$ by using your recommended website Dutchexpatshop.com! Even with the shipping I saved a ton from other sites plus with going to the Dutch formula I am gaining 300g per container as well!! So exciting! Ha:) I love a deal and feeding my baby the best I can since I wasn’t able to produce for him! I am so thankful to you!! Thank you for your research and help! 💙
Awww yay! I’m so so glad to hear about all of this Casandra!! Thank you so much for letting me know! 🙂
Hello! Were you ever concerned with the soy lecithin present in stage 2 and 3 of HIPP? I am getting ready to stop breastfeeding and switching to HIPP and want to make sure I’m making the best choice.
Hi Gabby! HiPP Dutch Stage 2 doesn’t have any soy lecithin — which is why HiPP Dutch is my #1 choice! HiPP UK Stage 2 does have soy lecithin, but I’d just get the Dutch version for Stage 1 and 2 and you should be fine 🙂 Hope that helps!
Hi Anjali! Thank you so much for this post. Would you recommend the Ready-to-Feed HiPP formula instead of the powder (I’ve read that it contains less aluminum)? Please let me know what you think 🙂
Hi Bana! I wouldn’t recommend the RTF formula because in order to make it ready-to-feed, they have to add thickeners, stabilizers, preservatives to keep it shelf stable. The aluminum issue with HiPP, in my opinion, was a red herring given all the points I outlined in this post so I wouldn’t worry too much about it!
Hi there, I am looking to supplement with formula and I would like to go the European Formula route. My son has a Milk protein allergy and I am a little confused as to which is the best option for me. Any help would be appreciated! Welcome to Seattle by the way :)! We have lived her also for three years now.
Hi Brittany! If your son has a milk protein allergy, I’d recommend HiPP Comfort or HiPP HA. If your son is also sensitive to lactose, go with HiPP Comfort. But if he’s not as sensitive to lactose, you could be fine with HiPP HA. This post explains the differences between the two in more detail! Hope that helps! And so awesome you live in Seattle!! We just got here about 7 weeks ago and are loving it! 🙂