There are two organic formulas as far as I've ever been able to determine, Baby's Only (made by Nature's One) and Horizon. Both meet FDA requirements for infant formula (those requirements have mostly to do with levels of macro nutrients -- carbs, proteins, fats, etc -- and macro nutrients, including vitamins/minerals). But both are not FDA certified for infant use -- only Horizon is.<br><br>
When I researched this many years ago, my assumption about Baby's Only (<a href="http://www.naturesone.com" target="_blank">http://www.naturesone.com</a>) was that they were not labeling for infant use -- even though they met the requirements -- for pro-breastfeeding political reasons. And I have a hunch that the folks on staff there are very pro-breastfeeding and don't want to encourage moms to opt for formula instead of b'milk in the first year of life or even beyond. But the whole story is more complicated than that.<br><br>
Getting FDA approval for infant-formula labeling is an extremely expensive process that is a major hurdle for a small company like Nature's One. I believe that they have not secured that labeling certification in large part because of financial reasons. Horizon is a bigger company with greater resources and may have calculated that it was very much worth it -- esp. since it would have given them a marketing leg-up over the better-established Nature's One product. Horizon could then use their well-established distribution channel to recoup their costs efficiently. (I'm speculating here, and am not an expert on the financial profile of either company!)<br><br>
The Horizon formula is WAY more expensive than the Baby's Only. The former retails for about 16 bucks a can, I believe; the latter for about 10 bucks a can. By buying Baby's Only in bulk at my food co-op on online, I get it around 9 bucks a can. I don't know if Horizon charges so much merely because they can get away with it or because they need to to recoup their FDA certification costs. I do not believe they do it because it's a better product.<br><br>
The Nature's One company has been wonderful to deal with. They have a very informative Web site and a staff nutritionist who has answered many of my questions regarding food allergies.<br><br>
On another note, someone here mentioned that Nature's One's Baby's Only formula contains DHEA. I think that person meant DHA, which is an essential fatty acid that is associated with brain/eye development (and the entire omega-3 family and a healthy balance between omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids is critical for a healthy inflamatory-response system). The Baby's Only formula DOES NOT contain DHA (or DHEA [a hormone], for that matter). It does contain alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) and linoleic acid (LNA), the first fatty acids in the omega-3 family. ALA is a precursor EPA and DHA, but it is unclear whether infants can efficiently convert those precursors to EPA and DHA. Nature's One makes a DHA/ARA supplement that is derived from egg-yolk phospholipids. More info on their Web site.<br><br>
I used the supplement for my daughter for about a year and a half until she was diagnosed with egg-white allergy. I could probably continue using it, since the chance of cross-contamination with egg white is small, but I've been chicken about doing so. On the other hand, I'm having a hard time finding a good fatty acid supplement for her because she is also at very high risk for fish/shellfish allergy, and most of the omega-3 supplements are derived from fish oils . . . need to do more research. Ah well, at least her basic dairy formula contains two important fatty acids/precursors!
