Healthcare Professional FAQs

HiPP is a family-run business which started in 1899 in Germany. Fourth-generation owner Stefan Hipp continues his family’s legacy - combining family tradition & the latest innovation to bring peace of mind to parents through quality products, expert advice and a commitment to doing the best for nature.

HiPP Organic products are all manufactured in Europe, and each production site has its own regional features, areas of expertise and specialisations. Pfaffenhofen, where the history of HiPP began in 1899 with Joseph HiPP’s rusk-flour baby food, is still the home of HiPP’s headquarters today, with the plant having been in operation for over 90 years.

All production facilities are certified to the internationally recognised standard for food safety management, BRC Global Standards. BRCGS standard includes, among others, strict rules on hygiene, pest control and chemical management. Compliance with the law and the BRCGS standard is checked regularly, both internally and by the respective certification and control bodies.

Please contact us and we’ll happily discuss your request.

All infant and follow on formulas meet the same legal compositional standards to fulfil the nutritional needs of a healthy baby. However, this does not mean that all formula’s are the same; some manufacturers may use different production methods or add ingredients offering choice.

To reflect evolving science HiPP organic voluntarily add other proven beneficial ingredients following thorough research into their safety. At HiPP we also chose to use organic ingredients for our formula milks; which is not mandated by legislation, but is part of our values and ongoing commitment to sustainability.

Naturally every baby is different, with different tastes and responses to different brands, and many parents try different products to find out which suits their little one.

Follow on milks are suitable from the age of 6+ months and are a choice for parents to make based on their baby’s needs and preferences.

HiPP Organic's Follow on milk is designed to provide the nutrients to support babies alongside their varied weaning diet, when they are not being breastfed. It has been specially formulated to incorporate the finest organic ingredients and the following important nutrients:

HiPP Organic products are certified by both EU & UK Organic certification bodies; In the UK, by the Organic Farmers & Growers (OF&G).

Not just that, but our products go above and beyond the minimum requirements of Organic certification; HiPP checks all products for numerous physical and chemical parameters that are even stricter than required in accordance with law.

HiPP Organic’s Palm oil is specifically used as it is the only plant oil that is rich in palmitic acid (32-57%). Sunflower and rapeseed oils are used for their higher content of mono- and poly-unsaturated fatty acids. By using a blend of these oils together, it is possible to achieve a beneficial fatty acid pattern.

We’ve carefully chosen sustainably sourced palm oil for our fat blend because it’s actually one of the most land-efficient oil crops available – it produces a much higher yield per hectare than alternatives like coconut oil; as used by some other brands. Using coconut oil would require significantly more land to produce the same amount, which can have a greater environmental impact.

HiPP organic palm oil is produced in accordance with ecological principles and does not involve any deforestation of rainforests.

Palm oil is safe to use, and has no negative impact on long-term bone mineralization.

_{https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31022096/ (ESPGHAN position paper on palm oil in Infant Formula, 2019)}

Metafolin (5-MTHF) is the predominant form of naturally occurring folate in the blood⁵. Unlike folic acid, it does not need to be converted or activated and exerts its effects immediately. Some people cannot convert sufficient amounts of the synthetic form of this B vitamin into its metabolically active form. The reason for this is a restricted or limited activity of individual enzymes^6,7

Until recently, the only form of folate permitted in infant and follow on formula was folic acid.

Folic acid is a 'synthetic' form of folate. Folate is the 'nutrient' that the body needs, and most people are able to convert folic acid into folate to be utilised by the body.

However, following years of safety studies, and application to the authorities by HiPP, in both the EU and UK, the infant and follow-on formula legislation has been amended to allow the use of 5-MTHF/Metafolin, as a source of folate within our milks.

_{⁵Pietrzik et al. Folic acid and L-5-methyltetrahydrofolate: comparison of clinical pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. Clin Pharmacokinet 2010; 49 (8): 535-548.}

_{⁶Hiraoka M & Kagawa Y: Genetic polymorphisms and folate status. Congenital Anomalies 2017; 57, 142-149.}

_{⁷Bailey WB & Ayling JE. The pharmacokinetic advantage of 5-methyltetrahydrofolate for minimization of the risk for birth defects. Scientific Reports 2018; 8:4096}

DHA is an essential long-chain omega-3 fatty acid, which since 2020 all infant and follow on formula must contain.

DHA contributes to the normal visual development of infants up to 12 months of age (a beneficial effect is obtained with a daily intake of 100mg of DHA).

HMOs/Human milk Oligosaccharides are carbohydrates and are the 3rd most abundant component of breast milk.
There are over 200 HMOs, and the different types and levels vary in human breast milk, depending on geographical differences, maternal diet, maturity of milk etc

_{(REVIEW. Human milk oligosaccharides: Every baby needs a sugar mama. Bode L. Glycobiology 2012; 22: 1147-1162)}

HMOs are not an essential composition of infant and follow on formulae under the legislation, however they have been proven to be safe.
As HMOs can currently only be manufactured with the help of genetically modified microorganisms or via chemical synthesis, this excludes their use in organic formula milks, including HiPP Organic. However HiPP Organic does contain the prebiotic GOS, which is sourced from organic lactose.

HiPP formula milks contain the Prebiotic GOS (galacto-oligosaccharides), which is obtained from organic lactose.

GOS has been shown to have a positive effect on the intestinal flora, including promoting the formation of a bifidogenic intestinal flora dominated by lactobacilli, softer stools and a reduction of pH-value in the intestines. ^1-4

At HiPP, we choose not to add FOS (fructo-oligosaccharides) to our formula milks, because they are obtained from plants (mainly vegetable such as chicory or onions).

GOS and FOS are not an essential composition of infant and follow on formulas under the legislation, however they have been proven as safe and efficacious.

_{¹Ben XM et al. Chinese Medical Journal 2004; 117(6): 927–931.}

_{²Fanaro S et al. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2009; 48: 82–88.}

_{³Sierra C et al. Eur J Nutr 2015; 54(1): 89–99.}

_{⁴Ashley C et al. Nutr Journal 2012; 11: 38.}

Cows’ milk protein allergy (CMPA) and lactose intolerance are often confused, as the symptoms can sometimes be quite similar even though they are two distinct conditions. Cows’ milk protein allergy is an allergy to the protein in the milk.

Symptoms can range from skin reactions, tummy issues, respiratory and hayfever like symptoms, unsettled behaviour to severe allergic anaphylaxis reactions on rare occasions.

Lactose intolerance is a digestive issue where the body struggles to break down lactose, the sugar found in milk., and produces symptoms in the gut including wind, bloating and diarrhoea.

For more detailed advice on supporting parents with food allergies, please refer to our article ‘Introducing allergens during weaning’.

All HiPP Organic formula powders, Comfort and Anti-Reflux contain DHA which has been sustainably sourced from fish oil.

HiPP ready to feed first infant, follow on and growing up milks contain DHA sourced from algae rather than sustainable fish oil, and is therefore suitable for vegetarians.

As with any food product that parents purchase online and in store, please always advise them to check the product packaging for the most up-to-date allergen information giving to their baby.

Our products can be purchased directly through our website, plus some of our products are stocked in the following retailers: Tesco, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, Asda, Waitrose, Ocado, Amazon and Boots.

Baby foods are regulated to provide specific levels of nutrients, support safe oral motor skill development and avoid potential choking hazards. At the same time, they are subject to much stricter compositional standards than foods for the general population.

HiPP baby foods are made with the nutritional needs of babies in mind and are there as a choice for parents who are seeking a convenient solution for their baby. All sugars that are in HiPP baby foods are from naturally occurring ingredients only, i.e. cereals, milk, fruit and vegetable ingredients.

Baby foods can play a role alongside home-prepared meals and are valued by parents as part of a healthy balanced diet. We will continue to ensure children have access to healthy, tasty foods, and parents feel confident and supported when making choices around nutrition for their children.

Baby foods are regulated to provide specific levels of nutrients, support safe oral motor skill development and avoid potential choking hazards. At the same time, they are subject to much stricter compositional standards than foods for the general population.

HiPP baby foods are made with the nutritional needs of babies in mind and are there as a choice for parents who are seeking a convenient solution for their baby. We don’t add salt as an ingredient within the manufacture of HiPP Organic baby foods, however ingredients such as cheese does contain added salt.

Baby foods can play a role alongside home-prepared meals and are valued by parents as part of a healthy balanced diet. We will continue to ensure children have access to healthy, tasty foods, and parents feel confident and supported when making choices around nutrition for their children.

Using the term Organic requires the inspection and approval by an Organic certification body; standards which go beyond just those required for baby foods and formula milks.

Baby foods and formula milks don’t legally have to be certified as being organic, but at HiPP, we choose to produce organic products.

HiPP Organic products are certified by both EU & UK Organic certification bodies; In the UK, by the Organic Farmers & Growers (OF&G).

Not just that, but our products go above and beyond the minimum requirements of Organic certification; HiPP checks all products for numerous physical and chemical parameters that are even stricter than required in accordance with law.

Hipp fully supports the important public health goal of increasing breast-feeding rates, and is fully committed to the highly regulated formula milks industry, which exists to protect and promote the safety and wellbeing of parents, carers and babies.

We believe that parents and carers should be fully supported whether they chose breast, formula, or combination feeding for their little ones. Every family should feel empowered with the information it needs to make the feeding choice that's right for them.

We found that 56%* of parents seek guidance on infant feeding from HCPs, while over 70%** of HCPs expressed a desire to further develop their knowledge of weaning.

These findings reinforce the need for accessible, evidence-based education to support HCPs in delivering confident, informed advice to parents.

To support this, we offer a range of weaning education resources, including expert-led articles and videos from specialists such as Lucy Wood (a Paediatric Dietitian), alongside downloadable PDF resources, product data cards and more.

In addition, we have a CPD module titled “Starting solids – weaning and food allergy advice to support parents” on Health Professional Academy, which is designed to further enhance knowledge and confidence in clinical practice.

_{*Source: HiPP Organic’s Great British Parenting Survey 2025 was conducted by Censuswide, among a sample of 2000 UK parents aged 16+ with children under 3 years old. June 2025.}

_{**Source: HiPP Organic’s Healthcare Professional Survey was conducted by Health Professional Academy, with 100 Healthcare Professionals in the UK. January 2026.}

HiPP Organic infant formula, follow on formula and growing up milks (powders and ready to feed bottles) are all certified as organic.

Legislation doesn’t allow for specialist milks to be certified as organic, therefore our HiPP Comfort and Anti-Reflux milks aren’t.

The formula milks industry is highly regulated, to protect and promote the safety and wellbeing of parents and babies. At HiPP we go above and beyond what’s required, because it’s the right thing to do.

Regulation that guides companies like HiPP Organic includes the WHO’s International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes; the infant and follow on formula regulations; and the CAP codes of practice, amongst others.

In terms of manufacture of HiPP Organic formula milks, all production facilities are certified to the internationally recognized standard for food safety management, BRC Global Standards. BRCGS includes, among others, strict rules on hygiene, pest control and chemical management. Compliance with the law and the BRCGS standard is checked regularly, both internally and by the respective certification and control bodies. The highest standard (AA) was confirmed in past audits.

HiPP Organic's Growing up milk is designed to be used from the age of 12 months, to complement a toddlers’ diet when they are not breastfed or when they are being combination fed.

They are an alternative to whole cows’ milk, which can also be introduced as a main drink from the age of 12 months.

Parents may choose to transition their toddlers onto a growing up milk, for example if their toddler is a particular fussy eater, as they are fortified with additional important nutrients.

HiPP Organic Growing up milk contains nutrients such as:

HiPP Anti-Reflux is a food for special medical purposes, which has been carefully developed to support the dietary management of reflux and regurgitation. It is nutritionally complete and suitable from birth and can also be used from 6 months as part of a mixed diet.

HiPP Anti-Reflux has been specially formulated with carob bean gum; as thickened formulas have been shown to decrease regurgitation, vomiting frequency and volume compared to un-thickened formulas.

The use of an anti-reflux formula aligns with the NICE recommendations* for managing frequent infant regurgitation in formula fed babies.

_{*NICE (2015) Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease in children and young people. Available at https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng1. Accessed: Feb 2026}

HiPP Comfort milk is a food for special medical purposes for the dietary management of colic and constipation. It is nutritionally complete and suitable from birth and can also be used from 6 months as part of a mixed diet. It has been specially formulated with reduced lactose and partially broken down cows' milk protein for easy digestion.