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Journal · 4 min read

How to read a European formula tin

The words that matter on a Dutch, German or UK pack, and where to find them.

Most of the formulas we sell were made for a market in Europe, so the front of the tin is written for that market. The same four facts are on every pack, in the local language: who it is for, the stage, the milk and the age to start.

A Dutch tin, pinned

HiPP's Dutch stage 1 is printed in Dutch and French because it is sold in the Netherlands and Belgium. Here is where the four facts sit.

HiPP Bio Combiotik 1, Dutch and French edition, front of the tin 1 2 3 4
  1. Biologisch · Biologique “organic” in Dutch and French, as on a Netherlands and Belgium pack
  2. 1 the stage
  3. Zuigelingenmelk infant formula
  4. Vanaf de geboorte from birth

Words you will see on the pack

Each meaning below comes from the maker's own page; the link is the page we read.

On the pack Language What it means
Pre German A German-market name for infant formula used from birth; a stage 1 can also be used from birth. Pre does not mean formula for premature babies. Source
Anfangsmilch German Infant formula, used from birth. Source
Folgemilch German Follow-on formula: not before 6 months, as part of a mixed diet. Use the minimum age on the pack. Source
Kindermilch German Milk drink for young children; the minimum age differs by product (1+ or 2+), so check the pack. Source
Ziegenmilch German Goat's milk. It names the milk, not the age. Source
Zuigelingenmelk Dutch Infant formula, used from birth. Source
Opvolgmelk Dutch Follow-on formula: not before 6 months. Use the minimum age on the pack. Source
Peutermelk Dutch Toddler milk; the minimum age differs by product, so check the pack. Source
Geitenmelk Dutch Goat's milk. It names the milk, not the age. Source
First infant milk UK English Infant formula, used from birth. Source
Follow-on milk UK English Follow-on formula: not before 6 months, alongside other foods. Source
Growing-up milk, toddler milk UK English Milk drink for children over 12 months, not a replacement for infant formula; check the age on the pack. Source

The same facts, in one order

On every Formuworld page the facts from the front of the pack are set down in one order, so two tins in two languages can be read side by side.

The front tells you who the formula is for. How to prepare it is on the back or side, and that part is the one to follow exactly: the scoop in the tin, the water amount in the feeding table, and the time limits. Each of our product pages gives an English summary, but it does not replace the label.

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