Result: Löwenzahn Organics Bio Pre First Milk is the test winner by Stiftung Warentest 2022.

Of course, we know about our excellent quality. Our organic products are developed, produced and tested by experts in the field of infant nutrition. Because quality and safety are inextricably linked for us, we even have our baby milk tested twice: once at the production facility and then again by an independent food testing laboratory in Hamburg. Stiftung Warentest tested our Original Bio Pre First Milk and named it the best of the 21 pre-formula products tested. But who is behind Stiftung Warentest and the baby milk test?

Stiftung Warentest is by far the best-known non-profit consumer organization in Germany. Its tests are planned and carried out by the foundation's own staff. The tests are conducted according to thoroughly developed test plans. Test samples are purchased anonymously from retail stores. In addition, the foundation commissions external independent laboratories. The test results are then published by the foundation itself.

The infant formulas tested were based on cow’s skimmed milk powder, and only pre-formula was included in this test. The products examined were powdered pre-formulae and HA pre-formulae for mixing, as well as ready-to-drink starter formula. Why only “Good” and not “Very good”? We will discuss the test results in more detail below. First, however, it should be noted that no product was rated “Very good”. We are the test winners, the only product to receive a grade of 2.0, outperforming well-known brands such as Aptamil, Beba, Bebivita and Hipp. Fortunately, a total of 14 of the 21 pre-formulae were rated “Good”, meaning that after our 2.0, they scored between 2.2 and 2.5.

In the baby milk test, the nutrient composition (nutritional quality), contaminant content, microbiological quality, packaging and labeling of the respective pre-formula products were tested.

WHO note: Breastfeeding is the best nutrition for your baby. The composition of breast milk always provides your baby with the ideal combination of nutrients and good protection against allergies and diseases. The WHO therefore recommends exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months and continuing to breastfeed after that in combination with age-appropriate and balanced complementary foods. Consult healthcare professionals (e.g., pediatrician, mother/father counseling service, midwife, lactation consultant) if your child needs supplementary food or if you cannot (sufficiently) breastfeed. The use of infant formula may affect breastfeeding success.

Our baby milk has received the best rating for its nutrient composition, among other things. 

For the formulation of our organic baby milk, we follow current scientific studies on infant nutrition. Only ingredients that can improve the well-being of babies are added; we leave everything else out completely:

• With certified organic ingredients
• Only lactose
• With the omega-3 fatty acid DHA (required by law for infant formula) from algae oil
• Without fish oil
• Without GMOs

We cannot speak about further ingredients of Pre infant formula, which make the nutrient composition outstanding. Perhaps you have already heard of the very important WHO Code for baby milk and its application in Germany. According to this, manufacturers are not allowed to promote Pre formula. Because breast milk is undeniably the best food for babies. 

Other factors that influenced the assessment were packaging, labeling, and microbiological quality.

Regarding microbiological quality, it can be summarized that all pre-milk formulas performed perfectly in the test. There were again differences in terms of packaging and labeling, i.e., the product information printed on the package. We received a grade of 1.6 for labeling and 1.8 for packaging. We plan to make our packaging even better soon with fully recyclable packaging components.

All pre-formulas in the test met the limit values for contaminants, even though Stiftung Warentest has used stricter testing methods since the last test 6 years ago. Contaminants cannot be completely avoided even with very careful manufacturing. They are partly found in the environment or are created during the production of food.

The pre-formulas were tested for three contaminants: chlorate/perchlorate, 3-MCPD/glycidyl esters, and mineral oil residues (MOSH/MOAH). We only received a deduction for MOSH. This led to us receiving a "Good" rather than a "Very Good". You can find more about how we handle quality and safety in our Quality Manual. 

Stiftung Warentest tested 21 starter formulas from traditional corporations such as Aptamil, Hipp and Co, as well as more modern organic brands. Löwenzahn Organics' Bio Pre starter formula scored best as a pre-formula, primarily due to its nutrient composition, and that in organic quality. We are very pleased with the test result. However, we want to get even better and not rest on our laurels.

Click here for the Stiftung Warentest test result: Pre-formulas in the 2022 Test

Because people are more malleable in the first 1000 days than at any other time in their lives, we have tailored our Löwenzahn Organics products for moms and babies accordingly. 

In 2023, we launched a new whole milk baby formula on the market.