Least evil formula company

[jonnywasnochemist]

Does anyone have an opinions on the least worst/least evil/fewest code violations formula milk to use? Obviously not SMA. And I know C&G and Aptimil are the same company. But is Hipp Organic actually any better for being organic? I think it's the only one claiming it has sustainable palm oil. I know they're all the same, as so tightly controlled, so would like to go for the company that is the least worst option. I don't want any expensive goat/soy/unicorn milk.

I have to formula feed my baby, for reasons I don't wish to discuss. Breastfeeding is not possible.

TIA!

"Evil" is a pretty emotive word.

They're all companies in it for the profit, so none are doing it out of the kindness of their hearts.

I tried 3 different formulas before finding one that agreed with DS's tummy. Be prepared for the possibility that your first choice of formula may not be your child's first choice.

The best advice I read was to find out what formula is sold by your nearest late night store, and try that first.

We happen to use Hipp Organic, and it's recently been discontinued by our local Tesco. It's a pain!

I use Hipp organic and the poos where ther most normal of all the formulas. Organic is going to have less of a footprint as no artificial products are sprayed so lower carbon footprint. Plus the recycled cardboard box.

The problem I have I spent so few places stock it. Oh well a good excuse for Waitrose orders!

*were the - sorry fat fingers!

Hipp organic is what I would have chosen if Bf hadn't worked out.
Sustainable palm oil, no dodgy follow on milk advertising, no weird chemical sprays / weird feed for cows etc...
This assumes you can buy it locally to you of course.

What have SMA done?? I googled but couldn't see anything.
I would definitely agree with pp who mentioned that you might have to switch brands - mine was on sma and kept being sick, when we switched to Aptamil he was like a completely different baby! Good luck

I think some of the practices by formula companies, resulting in deaths of babies around the world, are evil, yes. That emotive.

But formula itself is not evil. It is a blessing for those of us who can't formula feed, and I think it can exist ethically. I am just not sure it currently does, and am mindful that if companies perceive a 'green'/'ethical' 'dollar', then it can drive them to improve.

It looks like Hipp is the one to try first, unless anyone knows of any code violations that makes them worse than C&G?

SMA is Nestle. Infamous for their code violations and devious practices in the third world, leading to deaths, all in the name of profit. So I'd never use SMA.

Breast milk not an option? I understand it might not be.
I don't know if any formula milk is going to be up to high ethical standards. It's for profit.

None of them are "evil" not even sma. The aim of every mum of a new born is to ensure their child is well fed, gaining weight and content. Thats all that matters at such a young age

Kendalmil - use local full fat milk, small and local but...as a result only avliable in the north west! There maybe equivalent though locally for you?

Bloody hell. Just go and buy a milk that suits your baby and feed it.

I've had enough of this "evil" this and "evil" that crap. You know if you're going down that line of thought, then next time you have a really bad health problem in hospital, don't take any medication because you know the big pharma's? They're selling drugs only for money and causing deaths by upping their prices around the world.

Frasersmummy yeah that's the point. SMA ensure that many babies do not get to grow or live because of their third world sales techniques. Evil corporations not products.

The formula milk itself is a useful foodstuff. Just as a t-shirt is an item of clothing.

The ethics of the companies that make them? Evil is the word I choose.

I think it's unreasonable to be dishonest with yourself about what you're paying your money in to. I think the same with buying from sweatshops.

No, breastmilk really isn't an option.

I don't think my child being fed allows me to abandon my ethics. I don't think my child is more important that millions of others.

The reason I didn't say "The most ethical formula company" is because they're all, I believe, guilty of WHO code violations, and poor practice. However, I wanted to know if there was a general consensus about the least worst, without everyone saying 'none are ethical, they're all awful! You must magic breast milk!" which wouldn't help me.

Digestive28! This is why I use mumsnet! That is just up the road, what a fantastic thing! Thank you!

Kendalmil sounds interesting but I would go organic.

I reckon Hipp is probably one of the least objectionable. Though that local one sounds great!

Baby Milk Action is pretty good for in depth info IME.

Unless it was local:))

I think Organic can be a bit of a buzzword and not have that much difference in the scheme of things.

No problem! They have it in some booths and you can get direct from factory in Kendal itself.

According to their website, it's in my local supermarket. I'd never heard of it, which reassures me their marketing must be crap!

Bloody hell. Just go and buy a milk that suits your baby and feed it.

This. The very first consideration when choosing formula milk should be that you get something your child gets on with. Because you may think hipp is better' but baby may not do well on it and you need to be open to trying cow and gate or sma

I second baby milk action for unbiased info.

Sorry I can't help further I just wanted to say what an educated post this is op, formula is of course a necessity for many babies but more people should be aware of the callous, underhand, immoral techniques many of the formula companies use.

I certainly do not 'need' to be open to using SMA. I have boycotted Nestle for 20 years, I'd never pay money for SMA. The composition of formulas is very tightly controlled.

Have you considered donor breastmilk?
www.northwesthmb.org.uk/

littletwofeet, there isn't enough donor breastmilk for preemies that really need. Not for our situation.