Customer Reviews

Earth's Best Organic Infant Formula with Iron, DHA & ARA, 23.2 Ounce Canisters (Pack of 4)

5 star:		(143)
4 star:		(30)
3 star:		(10)
2 star:		(8)
1 star:		(22)

 

 

To be honest, I have never written a review, not matter how good or bad a product I received was. I never had the time and never bothered. Today, I write my very first review of a product that I have been feeding my precious son since birth. He is now 2 years 4 months. I could never breastfeed him exclusively due to bone density loss and I did massive amounts of research and tried out tons of different brands before deciding on this organic formula from Earth's Best and since then, even though he is now a toddler, I still use the Earth's Best infant formula and supplement with other child vitamins.

I was trying to re-order again in bulk from Amazon when I noticed for the first time the controversy over DHA/ARA extraction by the use of toxic hexane of which Hain Celestial which manufactures Earth's Best is guilty of. To understand my utter complete fury, you must know that I live in Singapore and I quite literally pay international shipping for every can of this formula (and wade through customs declarations, tests and tax levies) to bring this milk to my son. In Singapore, this can of milk is also available but in highly limited quantities and even more princely prices (yes, even after the tax, customs and shipping, it still costs less than US$68 which is the going price per can here). Calls to Hain Celestial customer service drove me further up the wall when first, a lady said the hexane was only in trace amounts and less than what the FDA approved. Then, reaching another lady an hour later, the story was different. She said that the hexane solvent method was the only method approved by the FDA to extract the DHA/ARA from non-toxic algae and soil fungus. A third occasion and Hain's customer service informed me that there should be no hexane detected in the product but on further probing admitted that she was not aware if the formula had undergone independent third party tests.

To me, this is crazy. The formula was marketed as a pure organic product and we pay premium prices (especially me!) for a premium product. To find that that they have taken such short cuts is completely unacceptable and the worst thing is that, it turns out that most of the other organic formula companies do this exact irresponsible thing and keep quiet about it. The only company that does not is Baby's Only - it uses a water based process to extract their DHA/ARA from eggs(compare this to Hain's claim that the hexane method is the only one approved by FDA and one wonders why Baby's Only hasn't been hauled up by the FDA yet). My son is going on that pronto once I can get a shipment to Singapore. Unfortunately, Baby's Only is not available in Singapore (not even at princely prices) and my son is going to have to continue ingesting his Earth's Best formula in the interim.

This product's ingredient profile on the Earth's Best website does not list "Syrup Solids"; however, buyers should be aware that the formula has recently changed to now include this ingredient. Their website has not yet been updated to reflect this (as of 7/18/2010).

I spoke with their consumer relations department and asked them to update their website since the misinformation is misleading to consumers. The change in ingredient profile to include syrup solids is disappointing. I am now researching other formulas.

This is a wonderful formula.
However, it is misleading to list this product at a higher price and appear as if Amazon carries it at a reduced price. It is priced at [..] at Whole Foods, same size. It is also available for online order at Earth's Best (the manufacturer) on their online store's website at [..].
The only place you are saving is to order more than one by monthly subscription through Amazon.

Our baby has been on this formula and breast milk for a few months now. She doesn't have much gas from it. It does take some vigorous shaking to totally dissolve the formula. I let it settle a bit prior to giving it to her so that there are less bubbles in the formula which in turn is less air in her belly. I love the larger can, more bang for your buck and am hoping that Amazon puts this on Subscribe and Save soon. I purchased it for 86...it was in the Friday sale section one week. So look there a couple of weeks if you are not in a hurry to get.

4/14/11 It is cheaper to get get the smaller can on subscribe and save rather than this one!
25.75oz can with subscribe & save is 0.772/ounce (4 can pack) at 79.57/case (on subscribe and save)
31.75oz can is 0.858/ounce (4 can pack) at 109/case

Please do the research before choosing a formula. When my daughter was first born I used Earth's Best. Not being able to breastfeed I wanted to ensure she was getting the best formula possible. Imagine my surprise and horror after discovering the methods they use to extract this supposed healthy DHA and ARA. Hexane is highly toxic. It's a gimmick used to move product. Once I switched I knew I made the right choice, and my daughter did much better with this on top of it.

My wife and I thought we were doing our baby a favor by going organic. We switched from Similac to this formula and it's hard to say if the issues we had were because of this formula....after a 10 day half and half schedule we noticed less pooping and violent screaming after eating. Since this is our first two kids (twins) we can't say if it's the formula but something didn't seem right. Then a friend emailed about the controversy of the synthetic additives in this formula...do your own research, but we have since switched to Baby's Only (too early to tell if it's cured the issues) and we feel better we have steered clear of the fact we might be doing more harm than good. So frustrating! Here is some info to help in your research.

Seems are some issues with DHA/ ARA additives.
EB's Ingredient List below... have you looked at Baby's Only?

Earth's Best: Earth's Best <[...]> is the leading organic baby food manufacturer. The company is owned by Horizon (which is owned by Dean Foods ) and offers both dairy and soy based organic infant formulas. Earth's Best uses organic lactose from cows, so if you are concerned about your baby having problems with lactose intolerance, this formula might not be the best option.

Baby's Only: Baby's Only from Nature's One <[...]> comes as both dairy, lactose free, and soy organic formulas. Baby's Only uses brown rice syrup, a higher quality and more complex carbohydrate, when compared to lactose. It's also less likely to cause an blood sugar spikes or problems with food allergies.

Earth's Best - Organic Infant Formula with DHA & ARA - Ingredients
Organic Reduced Minerals Whey, Organic Vegetable Oils (Palm Or Palm Olein, High Oleic (Safflower Or Sunflower),Coconut, Soy), Organic Nonfat Milk, Organic Lactose, And Less Than 1%: Crypthecodinium Cohnii Oil (Docosahexaenoic Acid), Mortierella Alpina Oil (Arachidonic Acid), Soy Lecithin, Minerals: (Calcium Chloride, Calcium Hydroxide, Cupric Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Potassium Bicarbonate, Potassium Chloride, Potassium Hydroxide, Potassium Iodide, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Selenite, Zinc Sulfate), Taurine, Vitamins: Ascorbic Acid, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Beta-Carotene, Biotin, Calcium Pantothenate, Choline Chloride, Cyanocobalamin, Folic Acid, Inositol, Mixed Tocopherol Concentrate, Niacinamide, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin, Thiamin Hydrochloride, Vitamin A Palmitate, Vitamin D (Cholecalciferol), Vitamin E (Dl-Alpha Tocopheryl Acetate), Vitamin K (Phytonadione), Nucleotides: Adenosine-5'-Monophosphate, Cytidine-5'-Monophosphate, Disodium Guanosine-5'-Monophosphate, Disodium Inosine-5'-Monophosphate, Disodium Uridine-5'-Monophosphate.

Baby's Only Lactose free - Ingredients
Organic Brown Rice Syrup, Organic Milk Protein Concentrate, Organic High Oleic Sunflower Oil, Organic Soybean Oil, Organic Coconut Oil, Monopotassium Phosphate, Calcium Phosphate, Potassium Citrate, Organic Soy Lecithin, Organic Vanilla, Dimagnesium Phosphate, Sodium Chloride, Calcium Ascorbate (Vit. C), Calcium Citrate, Choline Bitartrate, Taurine, Ferrous Sulfate, Inositol, Natural Vitamin E Acetate, Zinc Sulfate, Niacinamide, Vitamin A Palmitate, Calcium Pantothenate, Thiamin Hydrochloride (Vit. B1), Copper Sulfate, Riboflavin (Vit. B2), Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vit. B6), Folic Acid, Phylloquinone (Vit. K1), Potassium Iodide, Sodium Selenate, Biotin, Vitamin D3, Cyanocobalamin (Vit. B12).
Pediatric Health News
BPA & Melamine is Undetected in Nature,s One® Products
Infant Formula
USDA Cracks Down on Synthetic DHA Fatty Acids in Organic Milk <[...]is moving to eliminate two synthetic additives widely found in organic baby formula and organic milk..

DHA and ARA Risk for Infants Report <[...] - details research questioning the alleged benefits of adding novel omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, produced in laboratories and extracted from algae and fungus, into infant formulas. The report presents disturbing research indicating that the new additives placed in infant formula are seriously endangering the health of some formula-fed newborns and toddlers.

Mercury in Corn Syrup [...]
Baby,s Only Organic® & PediaSmart® do NOT Contain Corn Syrup.

Parenting.com - Ask Dr. Sears [...] - should infants receive vitamin supplements? Well, that depends. This article by Doctor Sears reviews what may or may not be necessary for a breast fed infant or a formula fed infant.

Are There Health Implications for Soy Infant Formula [...] - recent research from the University of Arkansas supports findings that soy formulas support normal growth and may have bone health benefits

what i dont get is how Earths Best still has this in its formula - it was banned in April by gov..and side effects have been documented since 4/09

Also learned that USDA Organic - means minimum 95 % organic ingredients - not 100%

from [...]

Over the past few years, infant formula manufacturers have raised their prices after adding Martek oils to their products. With the exception of some prescription formulas, available with approval from pediatricians, only one over-the-counter formula is available without synthetic DHA/ARA, Baby,s Only, an organic product manufactured by Nature,s One in Columbus, Ohio.

After today,s official announcement by the USDA, all other organic formula manufacturers will need to remove Martek,s oils from their products, Cornucopia,s Vallaeys stated.

In the meantime, The Cornucopia Institute also has filed petitions with the FDA requesting that their Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) designation for the Martek oils be revoked.

When Martek,s additives were originally granted GRAS status, it was with extreme reservations on the part of the FDA review panel because of adverse reactions to these oils said Valleys. When we reviewed FOIA documents, we were astonished to find that none of the infant formula manufacturers had complied with the FDA,s request to monitor adverse reactions and perform post-market surveillance of these materials.

The manufacturing process for Martek,s oils likely includes genetically engineered organisms and neurotoxic synthetic solvents, which are both explicitly banned in organic production. According documents submitted by Martek to the FDA, the process to make their oils includes growing algae and fungus in a medium that is made primarily of dextrose derived from corn, yeast extract or a hydrolyzed vegetable protein, which is usually derived from soybeans. Given that the vast majority of corn and soybean products in the food supply are produced through genetic engineering, the likelihood that Martek,s DHA and ARA oils are grown in a medium of genetically engineered organisms is almost certain. The use of genetic engineering is, of course, strictly prohibited in organics.

UPDATE - Ok we are 10 days in and our twins are much much happier. We did 3 days of half and half and decided to fully switch to Baby's Only. The intense screaming after eating has stopped and now both our girls are more regular. They go once every one to two days vs every 5 to 6. Much less fussy and happier overall. Was it the formula change or just a stage they went through? Maybe a little bit of both, but there is no doubt I'd never use Earth's Best again....nothing worse than seeing both your daughters screaming after eating especially when you thought you were buying something good for them....they need to remove that crap from this product.

They changed the formula last summer and kept the brand and package unchanged. I bought two cans from different places and noticed the ingredients list are different. I called their customer service and was told the formula has been changed. My baby loves the old formula which doesn't smell much different from breast milk. The new formula smells much stronger, and he doesn't like it. But I do know other babies who like the new formula. I guess you will have to let your baby to try it first to know whether he likes it or not.

Although any mom would prefer to feed their baby breast milk, there are circumstances that do not allow everyone to do so. I am stuck in that boat. So, I went on a quest to find the next best thing, organic formula. My son has been on Earth's Best formula since he was one week old and has no problems at all.

Here is what I LIKE about Earth's Best:

ORGANIC. I am very conscious about what I put in my own body so I wouldn't not have it any other way for my son. The use of pesticides and genetically modified ingredients is a terrifying concept to me. EB contains no growth hormones, antibiotics, steroids or potentially harmful pesticides or herbicides.

EASY TO DIGEST. My son has no fussiness or issues with this formula. He's happy and content and has had no issues with gas or spitting up due to the formula. My son was a very colicky baby but we had tested out a few formulas before concluding that it was definitely not the EB causing his fussiness.

AFFORDBILITY. Due to the recent recall of Similac organic formula, Earth's Best became the only affordable organic formula on the market that I could find readably available. The only other option available on the market besides Earth's Best is Babys Only Organic Toddler Formula, Dairy Iron Fortified, 12.7-Ounce Canisters (Pack of 3) and at nearly $30 for 3 cans of 12.7 oz of formula was out of our means. With Amazon subscribe and save, this formula is nearly the same price as non-organic formula. How could I even consider feeding my son anything else?

These are the ISSUES I have with the formula:

SYRUP SOLIDS. Sugar in formula? Excuse me! This is really disappointing but I believe the organic element of the formula far outweighs switching to a non-organic formula. As I said earlier, Baby Only is too expensive to even be an option for us. Plus, I believe the use of pesticides in formula ingredients is a far more dangerous concept than sugar!

DHA/ARA. I am not a fan of the synthetically derived DHA/ARA found in EB formula. However, there are no affordable formulas on the market that have naturally derived DHA/ARA. Therefore, its hard to judge EB alone. The formula industry should be required to find a NATURAL way to derive DHA/ARA if it should be allowed to market their product as organic.

CLUMPS. The formula can be hard to mix properly without getting clumps. It takes an extra amount of patience and time to mix this formula. The best solution I have found is to mix the formula in Dr. Brown's Formula Mixing Pitcheror use a handheld formula mixer such as the Prince Lionheart Versa Formula Mixer when making one bottle at a time. This way I do not get the bubbles that form from vigorous shaking.

Although the EB formula is not perfect, it is the most affordable organic formula made on the market. However, if it is within your means, you may want to do a little bit of research on Baby Only formula.

I am very mad at myself for not doing better research before selecting formula once my breast milk supply dwindled. Do your own search! The Obama Admin has said that organic formula should no longer be allowed to be marketed if it contains dha/ara made with hexane. Organic foods for adults are not allowed to be labeled as organic if they are made with hexane. There are several articles out there discussing possible side effects including autism and ADHD from hexane. I am switching to Baby's Only which is the only organic formula that contains Dha/ara not manufactured using hexane. It says it is a toddler formula which is why I didn't consider using it to begin with. Do your own research, supposedly they market it that way to support breastfeeding exclusively for the first year. It meets. The infant Formula requirements. I am hoping to return the box of Earth's Best hexane formula I paid so much for thinking I was doing something good for my son. Red the review here that copies the response from Baby's Only about it being suitable for infants Babys Only Organic Dairy Formula Case (6 cans).

This has been a great product for our daughter and we will continue to have her use it. Amazons price through subscribe in save is near impossible to beat. There are 2 problems. 1. We live in Tucson and the formula arrives very hot. The product explains that it should never be exposed to extreme temperatures. It gets so hot in the UPS truck that when you pop the lid it sprays out powder. That amount of heat is likely not good for some of the ingredients. 2. Amazons warehouse does a poor job packaging the cans. They put the cans to one edge of the box with bubble plastic on the other end. The cans get dented and Ive read where they have arrived opened. The product itself is fantastic.