Why do European formulas have less iron than American formulas?

European formula regulations are generally strict. The EU has a complete ban on GMOs and pesticides in formula, and it has multiple rules around nutrition, such as requiring that all formulas must contain DHA. 

In general, the FDA is less strict. But when it comes to iron, which is vital for immune system development and carrying oxygen through the body, the European requirements seem to be much lower than American. 

In this blog, we’ll look at what the rules really mean, why their different and whether you should be concerned that European formula doesn’t contain enough iron for your baby. 

The rules around iron

• European formulas must contain at least 0.3mg of iron per 100 calories

• US formulas must contain at least 1 mg of iron per 100 calories

That seems like a huge difference – it means that American formulas contain 3 times more iron than European ones. 

And in fact, most US formulas actually contain more iron than the EU maximum. 

EU rules stipulate a maximum amount of 1.3 mg of iron per 100 calories, for babies under 6 months. 96% of US formulas have more than this, and so would be considered dangerous in the EU. 

Confused? There are reasons for the different approaches.

Why EU iron regulations are so different 

The differences between European and US approaches to iron in formula aren’t there by chance. Both regulatory authorities have made decisions based on their own priorities and research. 

Here’s why EU iron requirements are lower:

Too much iron can be harmful

 

Iron is essential to our bodies, but as with most nutrients, you can have too much of a good thing. 

In very high amounts, iron is toxic, and can cause organ damage and even death. Now, that’s not to say that US formula contains anything like enough iron to cause these outcomes – it doesn’t – but we mention this just to make it clear that there are real dangers. 

At lower levels, iron can interfere with the absorption of other vital nutrients like zinc and copper and can cause tummy upsets in babies. There is also evidence from US studies that babies fed high-iron formulas have poorer problem-solving and reasoning skills as teenagers. 

The EU iron limits have been set with this in mind.

Breastmilk is naturally low in iron

 

EU regulations generally try to make sure formula is as close to breastmilk as possible. When it comes to iron, this means making sure it includes enough iron for growth, without reaching levels that babies bodies might struggle to deal with. 

It is important to note that, while breastmilk is low in iron, it’s bioavailable iron. This means it’s easy to absorb and benefit from. So the amount of iron included in formula is higher than in breastmilk to account for this. 

Differences in weaning ages

 

In the US, the advice is not to start weaning until 6 months old. In Europe, advice differs a little between countries, but is generally ‘6 months ideally, but not before 4 months’. 

This means that many parents start giving their babies at least a little food before 6 months, and these foods – such as baby porridge – will often be fortified with iron. 

 

EU regulations change for older babies

 

FDA regulations provide a single iron requirement for all babies. 

EU regulations are different for older babies, and formula designed for those aged 6+ months will have a higher iron content. 

For example, HiPP UK state that their Stage 1 formula contains 0.5mg of iron per 100ml, vs 1mg for Stage 2. 

This is partly because older babies need more iron to fuel their growth, and partly because newborns will have iron stores that have been transferred from their moms during pregnancy. These usually start to run out around 6 months of age. 

So why are US iron requirements so much higher?

Given everything we’ve set out above – it might sound as if there’s not much justification for the US stance on iron in formula. 

But there are good reasons for it. Iron deficiency is a serious problem in most countries, including the US and Europe. Around 7% of American children aged 1-5 are thought to be iron deficient. 

In Europe, figures vary hugely depending on the country – but are estimated at anywhere between 4 and 18% for children aged 6-36 months. The countries at the higher end are generally poorer, eastern European countries. Western Europe has rates at or below those seen in the US. 

Iron deficiency in babies can cause anemia. Symptoms include:

• Fatigue or low energy
  
  

• Slow weight gain
  
  

• Irritability
  
  

• Unusually fast heartbeat

It can also cause permanent disabilities if not treated early enough. 

So is lower-iron EU formula safe or not?

For healthy, full-term infants, yes. 

European formulas meet the World Health Organization’s guidelines and Europe does not have higher levels of iron deficiency than the US, despite their lower iron requirements. 

But some babies might need higher levels of iron, including:

 

• Premature or low birthweight babies
  
  

• Those with disorders that affect nutrient absorption, such as Crohn’s and Celiac disease.
  
  

• Infants with low iron stores at birth – which can happen after blood loss due to a traumatic birth, or if mom didn’t get enough iron in pregnancy.
  
  

If any of these apply to your baby, they might need an iron supplement – regardless of whether you use a US or EU formula. Contact your pediatrician for advice. 

The right formula for your baby

The US approach to iron in formula is designed to make sure that babies get the iron they need. Of course, that’s a good thing. 

The EU approach does the same – but it also takes account of the fact that:

• Babies are born with their own iron stores, and don’t usually need lots of extra iron until around 6 months old. 

• There are risks that come with too much iron, and it’s just as important to avoid these as it is to avoid the risks of too little iron. 

And of course, the EU’s cautious, research-backed approach also means that European formula is free of GMOs, corn syrup and pesticides. 

You’ll find a full ingredients list on every product listing in our store – simply select the formula you’re interested in, and scroll down to ‘Ingredients and Nutritional Information’. 

Browse formulas and compare ingredients