Overview
Many parents in the US prefer to buy European infant formulas, even willingly paying a premium price despite the abundance of American formulas to choose from. (1)
Why Are Americans Buying European Formulas?
Baby milk is baby food. That’s why many parents want to make sure that they choose only the best for their children.
There are dozens of American infant formulas from different brands offering complete nutrition from birth onwards. But many parents believe that European formulas may offer superior options. (1)
The FDA has strict guidelines that manufacturers must follow in terms of nutrients and vitamins that should be in baby formulas. Yet many US parents believe that European guidelines may be stricter. (1)
Also, European formulas have more options for milk from pasture-raised cows and goats. (1)
But European formulas aren’t readily available in retail and grocery stores. Instead, you can buy them from USA sellers like Formuland.
Is Formuland a good place to buy European infant formula in the US? What products does the online store offer, and how can you order? Find out below.
Is Formuland Reputable?
Formuland Inc. has been in business since 2014. The company is based in Los Angeles, California.
It’s known as one of the online stores that sell European formulas (single packs or bulk orders) in the US.
Single packs (one box) may be available if they have US stocks and can be shipped immediately. But bulk orders (at least four boxes) ship from Europe.
Formuland Reviews
Positive Reviews
“This company is amazing. I wasn’t going to have enough formula to last me the weekend due to an unexpected incident which compromised the formula we had, so I emailed the company. Overnight Saturday deliveries were not an option on their site. They immediately responded and overnighted me a box for Saturday delivery. Top notch customer service.” – Reviewer on US Reviews.
“Thank you so much for your products it’s quality and availability! I recommend to all mamas of USA and Russia to order from this website.” – Reviewer on Formuland.
“Great and very reliable source. One of the few with international overnight shipping. Highly recommended.” – Reviewer on US Reviews.
Negative Reviews
“I had purchased 2 boxes of formula from this company by accident (sleepy mama) and didn’t realize it until i recieved them in the mail. One it was odd to me that they shipped faster and two the packaging was different. Opened one box and begain to use it. I use Hipp because it was the only brand i stumbled upon that helped with my sons bad gas pains and spit up. It worked wonderfully for him and eliminated those issues but after a few bottles from this box it returned?…Something felt off so proceeded to open the other box and it was badly beat up and the colors on the box where shades different. I looked back on my recipe and realized it was a different company!” – Reviewer on Yelp.
“They sent me expired formula!” – Reviewer on US Reviews.
“BEWARE of Formuland selling Non Authorized Formula….I emailed Formuland to ask if they buy their Hipp UK formula from an authorized distributor (knowing there are only 3 distributors with rights. They told me that they buy it from a “smaller wholesaler” which really means not a legit source. Since they will not share their source and they are not buying from an authorized wholesaler, I have every reason to believe their products could be counterfeit. There are several discussions on underground message boards like blackhatworld where shady people are selling bulk formulas to retailers. With the news out of China about fake formula, one should not trust Formuland as a source for their baby.” – Reviewer on Yelp.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Convenient online shopping
- Offers a wide variety of European formulas
- Points and rewards
- Different shipping options
- Helps track or investigate lost and stolen deliveries
- Reputable company in business since 2014
- Free shipping for orders over $100 (to US addresses only)
- Plenty of payment options
Cons
- Doesn’t accept returns, except for incorrect items delivered
- Lack of a physical store
- Doesn’t have live phone support
- Limited reviews about the site available from other websites
- Store or website owner hides their identity on WHOIS (2)
Best Features
Products Offered
Formuland carries some of the the best organic baby formula from Europe:
You can find cow milk and goat milk formula options from these brands.
Examples can include the following:
Hipp HA (Hypoallergenic) Formula Stage 2 for Milk Protein Allergy (6 months)
Holle Dutch Goat Milk Formula Stage 1 Can (from birth to 6 months)
Lowenzahn Organic Formula Follow On Milk (10 months+)
Aptamil Organic Formula Toddler Milk Stage 3 UK version (12 months+)
Kabrita Goat Milk Formula for Toddlers Dutch Version (Stage 3)
Lebenswert Formula Bio Stage 1 Infant Formula Milk
Nanny Care Formula First Infant Goat Milk
The online store also sells organic baby food from these European manufacturers.
Examples include:
- Hipp Organic Creamy Porridge
- HiPP Organic Baby Rice
- HiPP Organic Apple & Banana Swiss Style Muesli Baby Cereal
- Holle Organic whole grain baby cereal
Order Process
- Visit formuland.com
- Choose the product you need (formula brand, stage, and quantity)
- Clicking on the choice will automatically show the amount you’ll need to pay and how many points you’ll earn for the transaction.
- You can opt to “Buy Now” or “Add to Cart.”
- If you’re unsure of what to order, you can also browse through the listings and read the descriptions of each formula.
- If you have discount coupons, open your cart and input the coupon code into the box upon checkout.
- Your cart will also show how much you’ll need to pay for shipping.
- The company offers free express shipping (two to seven days) from Europe to US addresses.
- Review your cart.
- Once you’re sure of your order, click the checkout button (PayPal or regular checkout).
Registration isn’t required to order from the site. But for faster future transactions, and if you want to earn points, you can create an account.
If you don’t like to create an account, simply enter your billing information and pay your order.
Shipping & Order Tracking
- Free shipping for orders over $100 (to US addresses only)
- Fast shipping options are available
- Same-day shipping isn’t available because the products are imported from Europe (unless stocks are already available in the US).
- Express orders (overnight, next day, or two-day shipping) placed before the cutoff (12 noon Pacific time) are shipped via FedEx/UPS on the same day.
- FedEx Express and all other orders received after 12 noon (Pacific time) from Monday to Saturday (holidays are excluded) will ship out the following business day.
- FedEx doesn’t deliver during weekends and holidays, so these days are not counted towards transit days.
- Orders with standard and free shipping are shipped the following business day.
- Orders received after the Saturday cutoff and Sunday are processed the following business day.
- Standard shipping takes up to four business days to arrive (excluding Sundays and holidays).
- Free shipping can take up to seven business days (excluding Sundays and holidays).
Note that orders exceeding $250 in value will require a signature confirmation upon delivery.
You may also experience delays in orders placed during the holiday season.
Points & Rewards
- You can earn points and get rewards for shopping.
Points
- New customers get free 200 points
- You earn points with each purchase
- Points will depend on your order, but it’s around 2% of what you spend.
Rewards
- 100 points = $1
- You can use these points for discounts at checkout
- There’s no limit to the amount/points you can use to get a discount on your order
- No need for a discount code
Examples:
Lebenswert Formula Stage 1 Bio Infant Formula Milk:
- One box, 54 points
- Four boxes, $111.96: 224 points
- Eight boxes, $215.92: 432 points
- Twelve boxes, $299.88: 600 points
Nanny Care Formula First Infant Goat Milk
- One can, $69.99: 140 points
- Four cans, $267.96: 536 points
- Six cans, $384.94: 780 points
- Twelve cans, $743.88: 1,488 points
Payments Accepted
- PayPal
- Amazon payments
- American Express
- VISA
- MasterCard
- Discover Network
Return Policy
- Formuland doesn’t accept returns because the products are perishable
- You can’t return a package just because you changed your mind
For incorrect products or wrong shipment:
- You must provide proof (photos) of the incorrect products you received
- Immediately email [email protected] with the picture and your order number.
- You’ll receive a return shipping label
- Formuland will schedule the courier pickup
- You’ll receive replacement products if the items are in stock
- If the products aren’t available, Formuland will credit your original form of payment
Lost Or Stolen Packages
- For lost, delayed, or stolen packages, Formuland will contact the courier to conduct an investigation.
- You’ll receive a refund or replacement product once Formuland receives claim confirmation from the courier.
Damaged Packages
- Formuland guarantees that all packages are shipped out in perfect condition from their warehouse.
- The online store claims that dented cans and other physical damages (scratches) to the labels won’t make the products unsafe.
- But you should take pictures of badly damaged packages and report the issue to the courier. According to Formuland, the carrier might deny compensation if you don’t have pictures as proof of the damaged items.
- For questions or further assistance, email them at [email protected].
- Include your full name, the order number of the damaged products, and the email you used to place your order.
How To Contact
- Formuland doesn’t have live phone support.
For any questions or order concerns, you can contact them through:
- The form on their website
- Email at [email protected]
Summary & Recommendation
Founded in 2014, Formuland may be one of the top sites where parents in US can buy European formulas. Should you buy your organic infant formula and baby food from them?
Here are our recommendations:
Choose Formuland if you prefer:
- Convenient online shopping from a reputable company in business since 2014
- Options for a wide variety of European formulas
- Points and rewards
- Different shipping options
- Free shipping for orders over $100 (to US addresses only)
- Help in tracking or investigating lost and stolen deliveries
- Plenty of payment options
Don’t choose Formuland if you:
- Don’t want a shop that doesn’t accept returns
- Prefer a shop with a physical store
- Prefer live phone support
- Want to find lots of reviews about a site from other websites before buying
- Prefer a store or website owner with a transparent online identity on WHOIS (2)
FAQs
Why Is HiPP Formula Not FDA Approved?
Several products from HiPP, Holle, Kendamil, and Lebenswert Bioland were recalled in August 2021 for failing to meet FDA requirements on: (3)
- Premarket notifications
- Minimum iron content (1 mg per 100 calories)
- Label to indicate the possible need for iron supplementation
Is There Fake HiPP Formula?
- It’s possible that there are fake HiPP formulas.
- There’s no guarantee that the products you buy online are genuine formulas unless you get them directly from the manufacturer or reputable stores.
Which European Formula Is Closest To Breastmilk?
According to researcher, mama, and author of “Brain Health From Birth,” Rebecca Fett, these are the ingredients you should look for in a formula because there are components of breast milk: (4)
- Whey protein
- Prebiotics to support a healthy gut microbiome
- Lactose (primary carbohydrate source)
- MFGM (milk fat globule membrane)
While it may be difficult to find European formulas with MFGM, most meet the other criteria.
HiPP Dutch Stage 1 may have the formulation closest to breastmilk of all these formulas.
Other Online Stores Selling European Formula
These are some of the online stores where you can buy bulk baby formula in the US, including European products:
REFERENCES
(1) https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/blog/us-parents-european-baby-formula/
(2) https://www.scamadviser.com/check-website/formuland.com
(3) https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/able-groupe-recalling-products-labeled-infant-formula-formulas-have-insufficient-iron-levels
(4) https://brainhealthfrombirth.com/formula/
