One of our favorite organic European baby formulas for little ones with more sensitive tummies.
By: Tali Ditye, Ph.D., Co-founderMommyhood101 independently tests and curates baby gear to help you make informed decisions. If you buy products through links on our site, we may earn a commission.
HiPP has been making infant and toddler foods for generations, and its Bio Combiotik line is especially popular with parents looking for an organic European formula with lactose, prebiotics, and probiotics.
For this review, we focused specifically on the Dutch HiPP Bio Combiotik line: Stage 1 from birth, Stage 2 from 6 months, and the current Stage 3 from 10 months.
We evaluated the ingredient lists, nutrition labels, preparation instructions, stage differences, organic claims, U.S. regulatory considerations, mixing, taste, and feeding tolerance.
Let's see how it performed!
Important: HiPP Dutch is made for the European market and is not currently listed by the FDA as an infant formula marketed in the United States. U.S. families typically obtain it through third-party importers. Always consult your pediatrician before switching formulas, and follow the preparation instructions printed on your specific container.
On paper, HiPP Dutch has a lot going for it: organic milk, lactose as the only carbohydrate, no corn syrup, no maltodextrin, GOS prebiotics, DHA, and natural lactic-acid cultures in Stages 1 and 2.
It also has a few meaningful drawbacks. Every stage uses palm oil, Stage 1 contains less iron than formulas labeled with iron for the U.S. market, and buying through an unofficial import chain introduces additional concerns about shipping, storage, labeling, recalls, and supply continuity.
Those considerations do not erase the formula's strengths, but they are important parts of an honest review.
Our HiPP Dutch Formula Review
Nobody wants to read through an entire article before learning the conclusion, so here are our findings right up front.
✔️ EU organic cow's-milk formula.
✔️ Lactose is the only carbohydrate.
✔️ No corn syrup or corn-syrup solids.
✔️ No maltodextrin or starch.
✔️ No sucrose.
✔️ GOS prebiotics.
✔️ Probiotic culture in Stages 1 and 2.
✔️ DHA and ARA in Stage 1.
✔️ Metafolin in the current formulas.
✔️ Whey-forward Stage 1 protein blend.
✔️ No soy oil or soy protein in Stages 1 and 2.
✔️ Mixes smoothly with minimal clumping.
✔️ Mild taste and good acceptance in our testing.
✔️ No unusual gas or constipation in our test babies.
❌ Contains palm oil.
❌ Stage 1 is lower in iron than typical U.S. formulas with iron.
❌ Labels are primarily in Dutch and French.
❌ DHA may be extracted with hexane.
Overall, HiPP Dutch Bio Combiotik impressed us with its simple carbohydrate profile, thoughtful inclusion of GOS and probiotics, easy mixing, mild taste, and excellent feeding acceptance.
It's definitely deserving of a spot in our round-up of the best organic infant formulas of the year!
Among imported HiPP formulas, the Dutch version remains our favorite, particularly Stages 1 and 2.
HiPP Dutch Stages
The current Dutch Bio Combiotik line uses three age-based stages.
| Formula | Intended Age | Type | Our Take |
|---|---|---|---|
| HiPP Dutch Stage 1 | From birth | Complete infant formula | The most complete and appealing formula in the Dutch line |
| HiPP Dutch Stage 2 | 6+ months | Follow-on formula | A strong option alongside age-appropriate complementary foods |
| HiPP Dutch Stage 3 | 10+ months | Older-infant follow-on milk | Useful for the later first year, but less feature-rich than Stages 1 and 2 |
The age recommendation for Stage 3 is important: the current Dutch package says from 10 months. Older listings and imported stock may still describe it as a 12+ month product, so always check the package you receive.
Packaging & Dutch Translations
HiPP Dutch comes in a large 800-gram metal can, which is more convenient than the foil pouches used for some other European HiPP versions.
The can includes a plastic lid and measuring scoop. The large format is convenient for frequent formula use, though HiPP directs caregivers to keep the powder dry and use the opened container within the period printed on the label.
The Dutch packaging also includes French text, but not a conventional U.S. Nutrition Facts panel. These translations are helpful:
- Biologisch: Organic.
- Zuigelingenmelk: Infant milk intended from birth.
- Opvolgmelk: Follow-on milk for an older infant.
- Vanaf de geboorte: From birth.
- Vanaf 6 maanden: From 6 months.
- Vanaf 10 maanden: From 10 months.
- Maatschepje: Measuring scoop.
- Afgestreken: Level, rather than heaped or packed.
Imported formula labels can be confusing, so it is essential to use the scoop supplied with that exact can and follow the printed metric directions.
Ingredients
The ingredient profile is the biggest reason HiPP Dutch remains so popular.
Stage 1 begins with organic skim milk and organic whey ingredients, then adds an organic vegetable-oil blend, organic lactose, GOS prebiotics, fish oil, ARA oil, vitamins, minerals, and the probiotic strain Limosilactobacillus fermentum CECT5716.
Current Stage 1 ingredient list, translated and lightly standardized:
Skim milk, whey product, vegetable oils (palm oil, rapeseed oil, sunflower oil), lactose, galacto-oligosaccharides derived from lactose, fish oil, whey protein, potassium chloride, Mortierella alpina oil, choline, sodium citrate, L-phenylalanine, calcium salts of orthophosphoric acid, sodium selenite, zinc sulfate, calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, L-tryptophan, L-histidine, ferrous sulfate, potassium iodate, vitamin C, natural lactic-acid culture (Limosilactobacillus fermentum CECT5716), vitamin E, niacin, pantothenic acid, manganese sulfate, copper sulfate, vitamin A, thiamine, vitamin B6, calcium L-methylfolate, vitamin K, vitamin D, biotin, and vitamin B12. Organic agricultural ingredients are identified on the package.
Exact ingredient wording and order can change, so the label on the can should always be considered authoritative.
Some of the most noteworthy formulation features include:
- Lactose as the only carbohydrate: No corn syrup, glucose syrup, sucrose, maltodextrin, or starch.
- GOS prebiotics: Nondigestible carbohydrates derived from lactose.
- A named probiotic strain: Limosilactobacillus fermentum CECT5716, formerly classified as Lactobacillus fermentum.
- DHA and ARA: Long-chain fatty acids supplied by fish oil and Mortierella alpina oil.
- Metafolin: Calcium L-methylfolate, a bioactive folate source.
- No soy oil or intact soy protein in Stages 1 and 2: Helpful for parents specifically avoiding those ingredients, though the formula still contains major milk and fish allergens.
Allergen note: HiPP Dutch contains cow's milk, milk proteins, lactose, and fish oil. It is not hypoallergenic and is not appropriate for a diagnosed cow's-milk-protein allergy, galactosemia, or a medical need for a lactose-free formula.
Stage 2 Ingredients
Stage 2 keeps the same basic design: organic milk, lactose as the only carbohydrate, palm/rapeseed/sunflower oils, GOS, fish oil, vitamins, minerals, Metafolin, and the same natural lactic-acid culture.
The current Stage 2 formulation contains lactose as its only carbohydrate and includes natural lactic-acid bacteria. It is formulated for use after 6 months as part of a mixed diet rather than as the sole food for a young infant.
Stage 3 Ingredients
Stage 3 is intended from 10 months and is a simpler older-infant follow-on formula.
It continues to use organic milk, lactose, vegetable oils, vitamins, minerals, and Metafolin. Compared with Stages 1 and 2, Stage 3 places greater emphasis on iron, vitamin D, and an age-adjusted protein level.
Older Stage 3 ingredient labels have included soy lecithin and omitted the probiotic culture found in Stages 1 and 2. Because HiPP has revised its recipes over time, parents avoiding soy or specifically seeking probiotics should verify the ingredient panel on the exact Stage 3 can being purchased.
Across the Dutch line, we appreciate the absence of corn syrup, corn-syrup solids, sucrose, maltodextrin, starch, artificial colors, and artificial flavors.
The major ingredient we do not love is palm oil, which appears in all three stages. Palm oil is common and nutritionally permitted, but some studies have associated palm-olein-heavy fat blends with somewhat firmer stools and reduced calcium and fat absorption compared with palm-oil-free blends. That does not mean every baby will have a problem, and none of our test babies did.
Stage Differences
The three stages are not merely different package numbers. Their intended use and nutrient profiles change with age.
| Feature | Stage 1 | Stage 2 | Stage 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age | From birth | 6+ months | 10+ months |
| Product type | Complete infant formula | Follow-on formula | Older-infant follow-on milk |
| Only carbohydrate | Lactose | Lactose | Primarily lactose; verify current label |
| GOS prebiotics | Yes | Yes | Recipe dependent; verify label |
| Probiotic culture | Yes | Yes | Not highlighted on the current product page |
| DHA | Yes | Yes | Check current label |
| ARA | Yes | Check current label | Check current label |
| Metafolin | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Best use | Primary formula during early infancy | Milk feeding alongside complementary foods | Later-infancy milk alongside a varied diet |
Stage 1 is the only product in this lineup intended to serve as complete nutrition from birth. Stage 2 and Stage 3 are follow-on products designed for older babies who are also eating age-appropriate complementary foods.
Nutrition Facts
European labels usually report nutrients per 100 mL of prepared formula rather than per 100 Calories.
According to the current Stage 1 label, 100 mL of prepared formula provides approximately 66 calories.
| Nutrient | Stage 1 per 100 mL | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Energy | 66 kcal | Standard caloric density for prepared infant formula |
| Fat | 3.6 g | From dairy fat traces, vegetable oils, fish oil, and ARA oil |
| Saturated fat | 1.5 g | Includes palmitic acid from palm oil |
| Carbohydrate | 7.0 g | Lactose is the only digestible carbohydrate |
| Lactose | 6.9 g | The main sugar in human milk |
| Fiber | 0.3 g | Primarily GOS prebiotics |
| Protein | 1.28 g | Whey-forward cow's-milk protein blend |
| DHA | 13.2 mg | Long-chain omega-3 fatty acid |
| ARA | 13.2 mg | Long-chain omega-6 fatty acid |
| Calcium | 51 mg | Supports bone mineralization |
| Phosphorus | 30 mg | Works with calcium in bones and metabolism |
| Iron | 0.50 mg | Lower than many U.S. formulas labeled with iron |
| Zinc | 0.50 mg | Supports growth and immune function |
| Vitamin D | 1.5 mcg | Supports calcium absorption and bone development |
| Folate | 10 mcg | Includes calcium L-methylfolate |
| Choline | 25 mg | Important for cell membranes and neurodevelopment |
The current Stage 2 label provides about 68 calories per 100 mL and increases iron relative to Stage 1. That makes sense for an older infant, though Stage 2 is designed to be used with complementary foods rather than as the sole source of nutrition.
Stage 3 is also formulated around the needs of an older baby eating a varied diet. It should not be evaluated as though it were the sole source of a 10- or 12-month-old's daily calories, fat, carbohydrate, iron, or vitamins.
That is why we removed the old article's USDA daily-intake calculations. Those tables assumed a fixed daily quantity of formula, compared follow-on products with whole-day nutrient targets, and could create the false impression that a formula should independently supply every nutrient after complementary feeding begins.
FDA & U.S. Import Considerations
This is the most important section for U.S. readers.
HiPP Dutch is manufactured for the European market and is not currently included on the FDA's list of infant formulas marketed in the United States.
That does not mean the FDA evaluated the formula and formally rejected its overall recipe. It means the product is outside the normal U.S. infant-formula registration, premarket-notification, labeling, manufacturing-oversight, and recall-communication system.
FDA advises caregivers to use caution when ordering imported formula from online or third-party distributors because the products may not meet all U.S. requirements and important safety or recall information may not reliably reach purchasers.
The iron issue: Stage 1 contains approximately 0.76 mg iron per 100 Calories. This is lower than the 1 mg per 100 Calories threshold that historically triggers the U.S. statement that additional iron may be necessary.
In 2021, HiPP Dutch Stage 1 imported by Able Groupe was included in a U.S. recall involving products that had not submitted the required premarket notification and, for several products, contained less than 1 mg iron per 100 Calories without the required U.S. labeling.
That recall was not a finding of bacterial contamination. It was primarily a regulatory, labeling, and nutrient-level issue. Still, the lower iron concentration deserves attention, especially for premature babies, infants with low iron stores, babies with identified anemia risk, and older infants who are not consuming enough iron-rich complementary foods.
Do not add iron drops, extra powder, or any other supplement without guidance from your child's pediatrician.
| Issue | What It Means | Our Take |
|---|---|---|
| EU-market product | Made and labeled for the Netherlands/Belgium market | Strong European formula, but not a conventional U.S.-market product |
| FDA listing | Not currently listed among formulas marketed in the U.S. | A meaningful practical drawback for U.S. buyers |
| Stage 1 iron | About 0.76 mg per 100 Calories | Discuss iron needs with your pediatrician |
| Metric mixing | One scoop per 30 mL water, not a U.S. 2-fluid-ounce scoop | Follow the exact can instructions |
| Third-party importing | Storage, shipping, authenticity, and recalls depend partly on the seller | Buy only from a reputable source with traceable inventory |
Preparation & Mixing
The current Stage 1 preparation ratio is approximately one level 4.3-gram scoop for every 30 mL of water.
| Water | Level Scoops | Approximate Prepared Volume |
|---|---|---|
| 60 mL | 2 | About 70 mL |
| 90 mL | 3 | About 100 mL |
| 120 mL | 4 | About 135 mL |
| 150 mL | 5 | About 170 mL |
| 180 mL | 6 | About 200 mL |
| 210 mL | 7 | About 235 mL |
The powder displaces some water, so the final prepared volume is greater than the starting water volume.
HiPP's label directs caregivers to:
- Wash hands and clean or sterilize bottles and feeding equipment.
- Boil fresh drinking water.
- Allow the water to cool to approximately 40-50°C.
- Pour the required amount of water into the bottle.
- Add the correct number of loose, level scoops.
- Close the bottle and shake thoroughly.
- Cool to feeding temperature and check before feeding.
- Prepare each bottle fresh and discard leftovers.
There is an important tradeoff here. The lower mixing temperature helps preserve the live probiotic culture, but powdered infant formula is not sterile. U.S. public-health guidance recommends extra precautions for babies younger than 2 months, premature infants, and infants with weakened immune systems. For a high-risk baby, discuss preparation or the use of sterile ready-to-feed formula with a clinician.
Safety First: Always use the scoop included with the exact formula container. Do not substitute a scoop from another brand or stage, and do not dilute or concentrate formula beyond the printed instructions.
European metric instructions are not difficult once you are accustomed to them, but they are less convenient for U.S. bottles marked primarily in fluid ounces.
Our Hands-On Testing
We tested Dutch HiPP Stage 1 and Stage 2 with three infants: one 3-month-old, one 4-month-old, and one 8-month-old.
Mixing & Consistency
The first thing we noticed was how easily both formulas mixed.
We did not see the persistent clumping or heavy foam that can occur with some powdered formulas. A small amount of foam appeared after vigorous shaking, but it settled quickly.
The prepared formula was relatively thin and flowed easily through an age-appropriate nipple. It was not as thick or creamy as some whole-milk formulas, which may make the transition easier for babies accustomed to breast milk.
We did not notice a fishy odor or taste despite the inclusion of fish-derived DHA.
Taste & Acceptance
All three babies accepted HiPP Dutch without difficulty and continued feeding willingly.
Two had been exclusively breastfed before testing and one had already been formula-fed for about three months. Acceptance was excellent across both groups.
Tolerance
None of our test babies developed unusual gas, spit-up, constipation, or diarrhea relative to their typical feeding patterns.
Bowel movements remained normal according to their parents, and one family permanently switched from Similac to Dutch HiPP Stage 2 after testing.
That was a very good result, though three babies are not enough to predict how every infant will respond. Formula tolerance is highly individual.
Contact a pediatrician promptly for persistent vomiting, blood in the stool, hives, wheezing, swelling, poor feeding, dehydration, severe constipation, diarrhea, or inadequate weight gain.
Organic Standards & Claims
HiPP Dutch carries the EU organic logo and HiPP's own organic seal.
EU organic standards restrict genetically modified ingredients, many synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, and routine preventive antibiotic use in livestock. HiPP says its internal standards go beyond the minimum EU organic requirements.
We appreciate the company's long history with organic agriculture and its emphasis on ingredient traceability, animal welfare, biodiversity, and environmental practices.
However, organic certification should not be confused with proof that a product is pesticide-free, heavy-metal-free, contamination-proof, or nutritionally superior in every respect.
The most supportable claims for HiPP Dutch are:
- Certified to EU organic agricultural standards.
- Made without genetically engineered agricultural ingredients under EU organic rules.
- Lactose-only carbohydrate formulation in Stages 1 and 2.
- GOS prebiotics and natural lactic-acid culture in Stages 1 and 2.
- DHA in infant formula, as required by current EU rules.
- Metafolin in the current Dutch formulas.
Value & Where to Buy
HiPP Dutch is usually more expensive than mainstream U.S. formulas after importer margins and shipping are included.
The 800-gram can is relatively large and convenient, but value depends heavily on the seller, order size, shipping speed, and whether the formula is stocked domestically or shipped internationally.
When comparing prices, check:
- The exact stage and current formulation.
- Can size and number of cans.
- Expiration dates.
- Domestic versus international fulfillment.
- Temperature and damage policies.
- Lot traceability and recall communication.
- Whether duties, taxes, or shipping are included.
We found competitive pricing for Dutch HiPP through the Organic Life Start store.
Because HiPP Dutch is not officially distributed as a U.S.-market infant formula, choosing a reputable seller is especially important.
Our Conclusions
HiPP Dutch Bio Combiotik remains one of the most thoughtfully formulated European organic formulas we have tested.
Stage 1 is the standout. It combines organic milk, lactose as the only carbohydrate, a whey-forward protein blend, GOS prebiotics, a named probiotic strain, DHA, ARA, choline, and Metafolin. It also mixed easily, tasted mild, and was accepted very well by our test babies.
Stage 2 preserves many of those strengths for babies over 6 months and increases iron for the second half of infancy. Stage 3, now labeled from 10 months, is designed for an older baby eating a varied diet, though it is not as feature-rich as Stages 1 and 2.
We also appreciate what these formulas avoid: no corn syrup, corn-syrup solids, sucrose, maltodextrin, or starch in Stages 1 and 2.
The disadvantages are equally important. All stages contain palm oil. Stage 1 is lower in iron than many U.S. formulas with iron. Most importantly, HiPP Dutch is not currently marketed through the regular FDA infant-formula pathway and is generally purchased through third-party importers.
For families in an official European market, HiPP Dutch is an excellent standard organic formula for a healthy, full-term baby who tolerates cow's milk and lactose.
For U.S. families, we recommend discussing the lower iron level and imported status with a pediatrician, carefully vetting the seller, and comparing HiPP Dutch with organic formulas officially marketed in the United States.
Overall verdict: An excellent formulation and one of our favorite imported European formulas, with important U.S. regulatory and supply-chain caveats.
