Nearly all infant formulas sold in the United States contain mostly added sugars instead of the healthier lactose found in breast milk, according to new research.
The study found that up to 90 percent of the carbohydrates in many formula products come from added sugars—substances explicitly not recommended for children under age 2 by health authorities.
Up to 90 Percent Added Sugar
The study, recently published in the Journal of Food Composition and Analysis, investigated the sugar content in 73 U.S. infant formulas available in 2022. Researchers categorized these formulas into three types: standard, gentle, and lactose-free.
The primary difference between standard, gentle, and lactose-free baby formulas lies in the amount of milk sugar or lactose they contain. Formulas with “gentle” on their label typically have reduced lactose, while “lactose-free” formulas completely remove it….