Something I've idly wondered for a while

[StealthPolarPig]

If babies are meant to have full fat milk only, why is formula made with skimmed milk?

Because formula milk has other fats added to it. Exactly what type of fat sometimes depends on the state of the markests at the time (i.e. companies may choose the cheapest) so even one brand of formula may not always have the same formulation. Cheap oils like palm oil are sometimes used.

I think milk has to be skimmed before being dried? Not sure though... just an assumption I've made from only ever remembering seeing the words "dried skimmed milk".

The second ingredient listed for SMA gold is "vegetable oils". Which is nice and vague

yes CC I've only ever seen dried skimmed milk too now I come to think of it.

Formula milk powder is always made with skimmed milk. This is because (as I understand it) dried whole dried milk does not reconstitute well with water, because of its higher fat content - milk fats don't emulsify easily with water.

But skimmed milk obv leaves the product short of fat (and vitamins - A & D are fat-soluble so disappear along with the fat). So the manufacturers have to restore the fat from other sources. They also put A & D vits in.

disclaimer: I am not a food scientist