Updated 12/13/21

Finding the right baby formula is one of the most important decisions you will make for your infant. When choosing reliable nutrition, it is best to research your baby formula company inside and out. Your baby's diet today impacts their health for the rest of their life.

My Organic Company is here to help you find as much information as possible. We strive to help you give your baby the best start in life. In this review, we’ll be comparing HiPP formula vs Loulouka formula. Two well-respected names in organic baby formula.

With over-the-counter baby formulas easily found in the United States, you might wonder why you should invest the time and money to buy imported formulas in the first place.

A quick comparison shows three main reasons parents are switching to European baby formula.

First, there are only three primary producers of organic baby formula in the US, and pharmaceutical businesses own them. Money is the bottom line for these companies.

Families and individuals own European formula companies. These companies were often started because their own children’s nutritional needs were on their hearts. The best start for your baby is their bottom line.

Secondly, United States baby formula manufacturers list chemicals, fillers, and unnatural preservatives as their main ingredients.

EU companies use only the absolute best in natural foods, never adding any harmful chemicals, fillers, or altered ingredients.

Finally, questionable animal practices again place America behind the European baby formula companies. With the use of hormones and steroids as well as crowded and unclean living environments in American dairy farms, it begs to question the quality of milk used in American formula.

European standards meet the highest levels when it comes to animal husbandry and care environments. Hormones and steroids are never used on or given to these cows or goats. The animals live and eat in organically grown fields as well.

Both HiPP and Loulouka baby formulas adhere to strict European baby food standards. What does that mean?

European countries must follow certain rules to ensure the safety and nutritional composition of baby formula, infant cereals, and other baby related food stuffs.

These rules and guidelines are set by The European Commission. They also have specific rules pertaining to the manufacturing of these products.

In 2020 the EU strengthened infant nutrition legislation further showing that the details in European organic processes outweigh the US regulations.

These are healthy Omega-3 fatty acids that can help support heart and brain health. New regulations require a higher usage of these fats to further improve infant health.

A minimum amount of 20 mg of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA per 100 KCAL for all formulas).

Tighter pecuniary measures and robust supply checks along the entire chain system to ensure all laws are abided by.

Suppliers or other parties affiliated with the formula making process must abide by the EU Organic Conduct. They too must now follow all strict requirements to ensure each formula meets the criteria.

Certification is easier for and allows more farmers to provide organic ingredients thanks to a new system.

More protocol concerning personal hygiene, cross-contamination of pesticides and chemicals, and equipment use. This is especially good news for babies with allergies, this will help to prevent the use of other ingredients, such as pesticides, accidentally getting into a formula.

Exemptions for production in demarcated beds in greenhouses will be phased out.

This ineffective form of farming is being discounted to further produce more crops with the growing demand for organic produce. This will not affect the quality of products, rather increase their availability.

As you can see, with the use of these wholesome ingredients and rigorous guidelines, babies will receive a more natural baby formula without harmful additives or chemicals.

The truth is that not all baby formulas are created equal. Loulouka and HiPP formula share some key similarities as well as some crucial differences.

HiPP baby formula has been creating high quality natural nutrition for around one hundred years. The company was created in the 1800s, because his wife, Maria, had trouble breastfeeding their twins.

Using his baking knowledge, Joseph HiPP produced the first rusk flour for children, selling it in his bakery to mix with milk to bake biscuits, one of Europe’s first baby foods.

HiPP’s success soon spread, and the black-yellow branded flour laid the foundation for the creation of a factory in 1899 in Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany.

Carrying on his father’s passion for good infant nutrition, HiPP’s son George, sold the increasingly popular product in and around Munich from door to door, and in 1932 founded his own company.

In 1970, the rusk flour for infants was still widely available on the German market. George HiPP decided to expand with the manufacturing of wholesome formula, and the HiPP brand grew larger.

During this expansion period Clauss Hipp, who was only twenty-nine at the time, took over the family business. Together the Hipp brothers began to source from organic farms only. Focusing on creating and using 100% organically farmed foods cultivated with organic soil as an industrial production. Still to this day, the company’s priority stays true to its mission statement - “to produce healthy, tasty, baby formula from safe ingredients.”

Today, HiPP baby food has become one of the most popular brands in Europe. HiPP maintains a network of more than 6,000 contracted organic farmers, involved in various countries for HiPP in the production of organic fruit, organic vegetables, and organic meat. HiPP stands as the world’s largest processor of organic-biological raw materials.

HiPP baby food brand is symbolic of a management approach characterized by ecological, economic, and social sustainability. “The best of nature. The best for nature” is the standard by which the growth of the company is constantly being measured.

Loulouka was founded by Peter, Christiaan, and Michael in 2019 after years of research and hard work. Individually, each has years of experience in the baby formula business.

High school friends Michael and Christiaan go way back and have both worked for years with well-known baby food brands around the world.

Peter began his interest in infant nutrition and research in the ingredients of different brands of follow-on formulas, after the birth of his triplets. Exhausted from sleepless nights, helpless and frustrated, he tried to find ways to comfort his newborns and most importantly give his littles the best start in life.

As founders of Loulouka, they each felt that there was no baby formula out there that exactly matched their ideals.

Joining forces in 2016, they started developing their own baby formula that fit their collective vision of the perfect baby formula.

The first part of their vision is to make no compromises: they only use milk from organic cows and Swiss raw materials.

The second part of the owner's vision is sustainability across all ingredients, factory processes, and of course the end product.

Loulouka’s products are supported by intensive scientific research and daily approval of parents.

Impeccably sourced ingredients give your baby the best start in life. The selection of organic ingredients impacts your baby's health today and in the future. This is why carefully selected, safe, and regulated ingredients are imperative.

HiPP baby formula has a wide variety of styles and stages to fit your baby's needs.

HiPP organic baby formula is packed with nutritional value, including crucial organic minerals and antioxidants that infants and toddlers need to meet growth milestones for immunity, bone strength, and brain development. HiPP formula also has docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (ARA). DHA and ARA are naturally found in breast milk and support development.

HiPP baby formula is only made with organic ingredients like whey, skim milk, and vegetable oils.

Completely free of unwanted additives such as GMOs, sugar, corn syrup, wheat, soy, nuts, hormones, antibiotics, and gluten, HiPP baby formula is made with all natural ingredients.

All HiPP baby formulas are lactose-based, with some formulas containing smaller, hydrolyzed lactose proteins to help babies with digestion; for example, HiPP HA has hydrolyzed proteins and HiPP Comfort has less lactose along with the hydrolyzed proteins.

HiPP Dutch, although made in Germany, is manufactured in a 900-gram powder baby formula, and packaged in a tin can, so it has a longer shelf-life.

HiPP Dutch stage 1 and HiPP Dutch stage 2 baby formula contain both prebiotics and probiotics to support babies' digestive systems.

HiPP Dutch formula stages balance the use of casein proteins and whey. This is because infants and growing babies require different ratios to grow stronger. As babies approach HiPP Dutch stage 3, the toddler years where they begin to eat solid food, HiPP baby formula also adds iron and starch.

These formulas are mostly packaged in 600-gram baby formula boxes and need to be properly stored/used within a month after opening.

HiPP German baby formula has the reputation as being the leading global brand for nutritional value and clean ingredients that follow strict European organic biodiversity farming standards.

It has the widest variety in the HiPP family from infancy to toddler, and includes formulas for hypoallergenic babies and those with acid reflux and sensitive digestive systems. It is also the best formula for gas and fussiness.

HiPP German HA Baby Formula is hypoallergenic. They are specifically formulated for infants and toddlers who are at a higher risk of allergies and need probiotics and prebiotics for upset stomachs.

HiPP Anti-Reflux Organic Baby Formula specialty nutrition that helps reduce acid reflux and spit up in infants. Organic locust bean gum makes the formula creamier, heavier, and easier for babies to digest.

HiPP Special Comfort Organic Baby Formula is designed for infants who experience flatulence, colic, constipation, and are allergy prone. Reduced lactose and hydrolyzed proteins make absorption and digestion easier for sensitive infants.

HiPP German Combiotic contains probiotics in the form of organic lactic acid cultures, which are remarkably similar to the probiotics found in breast milk. HiPP German also contains prebiotics to help your baby develop a healthy gut microbiome and a strong immune system. There are four stages to serve your little one from birth through 12 months.

For point of reference, there are two differences between HiPP German & HiPP Dutch: HiPP German contains “starch” as an ingredient, whereas HiPP Dutch does not.

HiPP German does offer stage 2 without starch for families that want to continue with the HiPP German line without the starch.

HiPP Kindermilch is often literally translated as “children's milk” but HiPP prefers the term “toddler's milk.” This Kindermilch stage 1 is intended for toddlers that are 12-24 months of age, while the 2+ Years Kindermilch stage 2 is intended for toddlers over the ages of 2 years.

These formulas are made to support the transitioning years when families often become baffled on the best way to bridge the nutritional gaps in their toddler’s diet.

HiPP UK is manufactured in Germany and is made with the same organic and farming standards as the Dutch and German versions. Packages for the UK version are 800-gram boxes for HiPP UK stage 1 and HiPP UK stage 2, HiPP UK stage 3 is in a smaller 600-gram box.

HiPP formula UK is for littles with food sensitivity issues. Each of the combiotic formulas contain prebiotics to support digestion. They do not contain the probiotics found in the HiPP German and HiPP Dutch brands because UK regulations do not allow probiotics in their organic baby formula.

✓ HiPP has an extensive variety of formulas to meet unique needs and stages

✓ HiPP follows strict EU regulations and is sold all across the EU

✓ GMO free

✓ Contains Omega-3 fatty acid (ALA) to support brain and heart growth

✓ Low content of mycotoxins (when compared to other brands)

✓ Free from pesticides and other chemicals

✓ Organic, grass-fed practices

✓ Gentle for babies with sensitive stomachs

✓ Contains prebiotics (and probiotics depending on the formula)

✓ No wheat, soy, or peanut ingredients

✓ Gluten-free

✓ Packed full of vitamins A, C, D & calcium for healthy bones

✓ Manufactured safely in a protective environment

✓ Very close to breast milk in its construction, containing dietary fibers and natural lactose

✓ Lactose is the primary protein/sweetener (no added sugars)

Х Uses palm oil

Х Higher price point than formula found on the shelf in local grocery stores

Х You can only buy online

Loulouka baby formula may be one of the newest organic baby formulas from Europe, but it already has made a name among the best. Produced in Switzerland, home of the world’s best dairy farms, Loulouka provides organic nourishment straight to your baby’s bottle.

Loulouka baby formula is made with milk from organic farming and well-taken care of Swiss cows. The cows are fed with primarily natural grass and hay.

Loulouka baby formula is EU organic certified without any artificial pesticides or herbicides. They use eco-friendly methods during production and packaging.

Loulouka avoids non-organic milk products that contain growth hormones, GMOs, synthetic nutrients, carrageenan, and harmful pesticides or herbicides.

You will never see preservatives, sugar, or GMOs, nuts or egg products used in Loulouka! Only all natural ingredients.

Completely free of unwanted additives such as GMOs, sugar, corn syrup, wheat, soy, nuts, hormones, antibiotics, and gluten, Loulouka baby formula is made with all natural ingredients just like HiPP baby formula.

Loulouka offers both cow’s milk and goat’s milk based baby formula to ensure every little one’s nutritional needs are met, even those that have the most sensitive digestive systems.

Skimmed milk with an adapted and optimized fat mixture is the star of each stage of Loulouka cow’ milk baby formula. From day one to 12 months this gentle clean organic nutrition is perfect for families looking for baby formula that is gentle and nutritious.

Starting at birth, Loulouka stage 1 supports your baby and then only has minor differences between Loulouka stage 2. The first of which is 1mg iron per serving compared to 0.8mg iron per serving of Stage 1.

The other main difference between Stage 2 and Stage 1 is that Stage 2 has 70% lactose, and 30% maltodextrin — which is added to make the formula thicker and gives the extra energy needed for this age.

Loulouka cow stage 3 supports older infants as solid food is introduced and your baby becomes more independent.

European Goat milk formula is the perfect balance of A2 nutrition for developing minds and growing bodies while meeting the specific needs of the most sensitive babies.

Loulouka goat milk formula is also vegetarian friendly and contains plant-based DHA derived from algal oil and completely leaves out fish oil. Pure marine algae are Loulouka goat formula's source of DHA and Omega 3.

Two stages of whole organic goat milk from the Alps are designed for babies up to 12 months. Parents are happy to know that neither Loulouka goat stage 1 nor Loulouka goat stage 2 contain palm oil or coconut oil.

✓ Passes through fifty quality checks before leaving the factory

✓ All ingredients are organic and excellent quality

✓ Loulouka manufactures their baby formula using sustainable methods

✓ Blended with all essential nutrients to be a breastmilk substitute or supplement

✓ Uses coconut oil instead of palm oil

✓ Loulouka follows strict EU regulations GMO-Free

✓ Contains Omega-3 fatty acid (ALA) to support brain and heart growth

✓ Free from pesticides and other chemicals

✓ Organic, grass-fed practices

✓ NO wheat, soy, sugars, or peanut ingredients

✓ Gluten-free

✓ Offers both cow’s milk and goat’s milk-based nutrition

✓ Packed full of vitamins A, C, D, & calcium for healthy bones

✓ Vegetarian friendly goat milk formula

Х Still quite a new company compared to the more well-known brands including HiPP

Х Higher price point than formula found on the shelf in local grocery stores

Having looked at both brands in complete detail, choosing between HiPP and Loulouka formula will be difficult.

They have some key similarities in that they are both European Union Certified Organic. They both use animals that are treated well and are organically farmed, and both brands also take great measures to recycle waste and water, which has a far better impact on the environment than other baby formula brands.

We are equally impressed with both brands when it comes to the range of organic ingredients and organically sourced vitamins and minerals that aid with growth and development of infants.

When you look at the ingredients list of both, again we see similarities; however, we do see some differences that need to be highlighted.

Both Loulouka and HiPP have similar ingredients, but what differentiates them all is the amount of each ingredient. For example, Loulouka has 0.7mg of iron in stage one, whereas HiPP Dutch has 0.5mg of iron, HiPP UK has 1.0mg of iron in stage one, and HiPP German has 0.6mg of iron in stage one. They all have iron but depending on your baby’s special needs you may want more or less of the iron in your baby’s formula.

We can see the importance when we compare the iron content to American formulas. Remember, EU formulas have various stages throughout the first year as the baby is developing, so the iron content fluctuates - based on their growth. Similac Pro Advance, Similac Organic, Enfamil Enspire, and Enfamil Neuro Pro all have 1.8mg of iron - a drastic difference to the iron content in EU formulas (that do not even come close to this large amount of iron.)

According to Stanford Children’s Health, “Babies from birth to age 6 months should get 0.27 milligrams of iron a day. Babies ages 7 months to 12 months should get much more — 11 milligrams a day.” Because American formula has one stage throughout the first year, younger babies get too much iron to begin with. EU formulas fix this problem by breaking up the stages, and as is noted by both HiPP and Loulouka, they have different iron content standards based on the country’s own standards in place. Something parents should consider when choosing their formula.

Back to the Loulouka and HiPP formula comparison - both contain quality organically farmed and processed ingredients, but HiPP formula has nutrition that is specially formulated for toddlers. So, when it comes to long range formula, HiPP definitely has the upper hand.

The last stand out in favor of Loulouka baby formula over HiPP baby formula is that they completely avoid the use of palm oil in all of their stages. An important fact when it comes to sustainability and eco-friendly practices. So, if your baby does not have any sensitivities, and you would like to avoid palm oil, Loulouka is your number one pick.

To help you continue to make the most informed decision My Organic Company has updated all baby formula ingredients and nutrition facts pages to reflect the current EU standards.

Both HiPP and Loulouka have put your baby first when designing baby formulas. Both brands have used only the absolute best in organic resources and farming practices. You can feel confident knowing that your baby will have the best start in life when choosing either company.

My Organic Company is proud to be on this journey with you. With extensive knowledge of these brands and their offerings, you are now equipped to make the right choice for your family.

When choosing your formula remember, not every formula is right for every baby. Make sure to try one box/can at a time. You do not want to buy in bulk until you know your baby does well on that formula brand.

Our team of baby formula experts and parents can help you in this decision and provide more information to help you find the perfect European baby formula.