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The short answer is, yes. Store brand infant formulas are held to the same FDA standards for infant formula as national brands.

Are store brand baby formulas the same as national brands?



The short answer is, yes. Store brand infant formulas are held to the same FDA standards for infant formula as national brands. To be FDA-approved, all baby formulas must meet the same nutritional standards set by the U.S. National Academy of the Science-National Research Council and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). The major difference is the price, with store brand equivalents often costing 50% less than the national brands. The reason for the price difference is marketing. Instead of spending extra money on advertising, store brand formulas pass on those savings directly to consumers.

How do I know which store brand formula to get?



Just like the national brands, store brand formulas are designed to address a variety of feeding needs. In addition to regular cow milk formulas, they are also available as gentle or sensitive, reduced lactose, soy, and hypoallergenic. Most store brand formulas will have a “Compare to” statement on every formula they manufacture. You might also find this quick reference helpful, which includes store-brand alternatives to the recently recalled Similac: https://www.perrigopediatrics.com/images/patient-resources/Formula-Alternatives.pdf

If you are not sure what kind of formula is best for your baby, please discuss this with us.

Does it matter if we get the store brand from Walmart or Target, is there a difference in quality among different retailers?

The majority of store brand baby formulas in the U.S. are made by a generic company called Perrigo Nutritionals, which is the largest supplier of store-brand infant formulas found in 47 retailers and more than 30,000 retail locations in the United States, including major retailers such as Walmart, Sam’s Club, Costco, Target, Kroger, CVS, Walgreens, and Amazon.com (Mama Bear). All of these store brand formulas are made in the U.S. with milk from leading dairies and the production process undergoes the same level of inspection as national brands. Once the generic formula is made, it gets a store brand label for the retailer it is to be sold at, with no difference in the comparable product between different stores. So whether you buy a store brand formula from Walmart or Target, there is no difference in the quality of the product.

Posted 3/20/2022