FDA approved baby formula substitutes

Ever since the 2022 formula recall when the FDA announced that they were investigating an outbreak of Cronobacter sakazakii and Salmonella Newport infections linked to usage of Similac, Alimentum and EleCare powdered formulas, we as parents, have been scrambling to find formulas that we can confidently rely on to feed our babies. When you can’t find your baby formula of choice, how do you know which one will work for your baby? What if you need to switch formula for a premature baby? What about a baby who needs hypoallergenic formula or those who require amino acid based formulas? We now have a comprehensive list from NASPGHAN that safely relays to parents which formulas are safe to use interchangeably within specific categories¹. All baby formulas are not the same, therefore you can’t just replace any baby formula with another.

As a quick reminder, the FDA advised consumers not to use Similac, Alimentum and EleCare products if it meets all of the below criteria.

• The first two digits of the product code (located on the bottom of the can, as shown below) are 22 through 37
• The code on the container contains K8, SH or Z2
• The expiration date is 4-1-2022 (APR 2022) or later

NASPGHAN, the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, is a leader in research, education, clinical practice and advocacy for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition in health and disease. This is a comprehensive list, but it is recommended you speak to your pediatrician before making any formula changes or choices.

Amino-Acid based infant formulas:

The formulas listed below can be used interchangeably

Alfamino Infant
Elecare Infant
Neocate Infant
Neocate Syneo (NOT for use in infants/children with short bowel syndrome)
Puramino DHA & ARA infant

This is a comprehensive list, but not all inclusive. Always speak to your pediatrician before making any formula changes or choices.

Extensively Hydrolized/Hypoallergenic Infant Formulas:

The formulas listed below can be used interchangeably

Comforts Hypoallergenic Infant Formula*
Gerber Extensive HA
H-E-B Baby Hypoallergenic Infant Formula*
Mama Bear Hypoallergenic Infant Formula*
Nutramigen
Nutramigen Ready to Feed
Parent’s Choice Hypoallergenic Infant Formula*
Pregestimil
Similac Alimentum Powder
Similac Alimentum Ready To Feed
Up & Up Hypoallergenic Infant Formula*
Well Beginnings Hypoallergenic Infant Formula *

*Store Brand Formulas (Available at many retail outlets including, but not limited to, Aldi, Amazon, CVS, HEB, Kroger, Meijer, Safeway, Sam’s Club, Target, Topco and Walgreens, Walmart)

This is a comprehensive list, but not all inclusive. Always speak to your pediatrician before making any formula changes or choices.

Premature Infant Formulas With Intact and/or Partially Hydrolyzed Cow’s Milk Protein:

The formulas listed below can be used interchangeably

Enfamil NeuroPro Enfacare
Enfamil Premature Infant Formula Ready To Feed**
Similac Neosure
Similac Neosure Ready To Feed**
Similac Special Care Ready To Feed**

This is a comprehensive list, but not all inclusive. Always speak to your pediatrician before making any formula changes or choices.

Soy Protein Infant Formulas:

The formulas listed below can be used interchangeably

Comforts Soy Infant Formula*
CVS Health Soy Infant Formula*
Earth’s Best Organic Soy
Enfamil Prosobee Simply Plant Based
Good Start Soy
H-E-B Baby Soy Infant Formula*
Little Journey’s Soy Infant Formula*
Parent’s Choice Soy Infant Formula*
Similac Soy
Similac Soy Isomil Ready To Feed
Up & Up Soy Infant Formula*

*Store Brand Formulas (Available at many retail outlets including, but not limited to, Aldi, Amazon, CVS, HEB, Kroger, Meijer, Safeway, Sam’s Club, Target, Topco and Walgreens, Walmart)

This is a comprehensive list, but not all inclusive. Always speak to your pediatrician before making any formula changes or choices.

Standard Infant Formula with Intact and/or Partially Hydrolyzed Cow’s Milk Protein:

The standard infant formulas listed below can be used interchangeably**

Babies R Us Advantage Infant Formula*
Babies R Us Complete Comfort Infant Formula*
Babies R Us Gentle Infant Formula*
Babies R Us Infant Formula*
Babies R Us Sensitivity Infant Formula*
Burt’s Bees Baby Infant Milk Organic
Burt’s Bees Baby Sensitive
Burt’s Bees Baby Ultra Gentle
Bobbie Organic Infant Formula
ByHeart Whole Nutrition Infant Formula
Comforts Advantage Infant Formula*
Comforts Gentle Infant Formula*
Comforts Infant Formula*
Comforts Sensitivity Infant Formula*
CVS Health Advantage Infant Formula*
CVS Health Complete Comfort Infant Formula*
CVS Health Gentle Infant Formula*
CVS Health Infant Formula*
CVS Health Sensitivity Infant Formula*
Earth’s Best Organic Infant Formula
Earth’s Best Organic Infant Formula Ready To Feed
Earth’s Best Organic Sensitivity
Earth’s Best Organic Gentle Formula
Enfamil AR (not for use in infants with rice allergy)
Enfamil Enspire
Enfamil Gentlease
Enfamil Gentlease Ready To Feed
Enfamil Infant
Enfamil Newborn Infant
Enfamil NeuroPro Infant
Enfamil NeuroPro Ready To Feed
Enfamil NeuroPro Gentlease
Enfamil Neuro Pro Sensitive
Enfamil Reguline
Good Start Gentle
Good Start Gentle Pro
Good Start Nourish
Good Start Nourish Ready To Feed
Good Start Soothe Pro
H-E-B Baby Complete Comfort Infant Formula*
Kirkland Signature Pro Care Infant Formula*
Little Journey’s Advantage Infant Formula*
Little Journey’s Gentle Infant Formula*
Little Journey’s Infant Formula*
Little Journey’s Sensitivity Infant Formula*
Mama Bear Advantage Infant Formula*
Mama Bear Complete Comfort Infant Formula*
Mama Bear Gentle Infant Formula*
Mama Bear Infant Formula*
Mama Bear Sensitivity Infant Formula*
Meijer Advantage Infant Formula*
Meijer Complete Comfort Infant Formula*
Meijer Gentle Infant Formula*
Meijer Infant Formula*
Meijer Sensitivity Infant Formula*
Member’s Mark Advantage Infant Formula*
Member’s Mark Gentle Infant Formula*
Member’s Mark Infant Formula*
Member’s Mark Sensitivity Infant Formula*
Nan Pro
Nan Supreme Pro
Parent’s Choice Advantage Infant Formula*
Parent’s Choice Complete Comfort Infant Formula*
Parent’s Choice Gentle Infant Formula*
Parent’s Choice Infant Formula*
Parent’s Choice Sensitivity Infant Formula*
Rite Aid Tugaboos Advantage Infant Formula*
Rite Aid Tugaboos Complete Comfort Infant Formula*
Rite Aid Tugaboos Gentle Infant Formula*
Rite Aid Tugaboos Infant Formula*
Rite Aid Tugaboos Sensitivity Infant Formula*
Similac Advance
Similac Advance Ready To Feed
Similar Pro Advance
Similar Pro Advance Ready To Feed
Similac Pro Sensitive
Similac Pro Sensitive Ready To Feed
Similac Pro Total Comfort
Similac Sensitive
Similac Total Comfort
Similac 360 Total Care Advance
Similac 360 Total Care Advance Ready to Feed
Similar 360 Total Care Sensitive
Similar 360 Total Care Sensitive Ready To Feed
Simply Right Baby Care Advantage Infant Formula*
Simply Right Baby Care Complete Comfort Infant Formula*
Simply Right Baby Care Gentle Infant Formula*
Simply Right Baby Care Infant Formula*
Simply Right Baby Care Sensitivity Infant Formula*
Similac Spit Up (not for use in infants with rice allergy)
Tippy Toes Advantage Infant Formula*
Tippy Toes Gentle Infant Formula*
Tippy Toes Infant Formula*
Tippy Toes Sensitivity Infant Formula*
Up & Up Advantage Infant Formula*
Up & Up Complete Comfort Infant Formula*
Up & Up Gentle Infant Formula*
Up & Up Infant Formula*
Up & Up Sensitivity Infant Formula*
Well Beginnings Advantage Infant Formula*
Well Beginnings Complete Comfort Infant Formula*
Well Beginnings Gentle Infant Formula*
Well Beginnings Infant Formula*
Well Beginnings Sensitivity Infant Formula*

* Store Brand Formulas (Available at many retail outlets including, but not limited to, Aldi, Amazon, CVS, HEB, Kroger, Meijer, Safeway, Sam’s Club, Target, Topco and Walgreens, Walmart)

** Formulas in this standard formula/intact and/or partially hydrolyzed cow’s milk protein category are safe to substitute for each other in case of national shortages.

This is a comprehensive list, but not all inclusive. Always speak to your pediatrician before making any formula changes or choices.

Sources:

1. Tools for Infants and Children Affected by Formula Shortages | NASPGHAN