"Goat milk formula is suitable for cow's milk allergy." "Goat milk formula has a strong smell and taste." All sorts of things get said about goat milk formula - but what's actually true, and what isn't? Here are the key facts and myths.
Goat milk formula is suitable for cow's milk allergy
Myth. Many people assume goat milk is a suitable alternative for children with a cow's milk allergy, but the opposite is true. With a cow's milk allergy, the immune system reacts strongly to certain proteins in cow's milk - experts point mainly to αs1-casein as the trigger for this allergic reaction. Goat milk does contain a relatively low amount of this protein, but a significant risk of an allergic cross-reaction still remains. A medically diagnosed cow's milk allergy is the most common food allergy in babies and young children (between 2% and 5% of babies and young children [1]), and these children have trouble digesting the proteins in cow's milk.
Goat milk formula contains all legally required nutrients
Fact. European legislation sets out precisely which nutrients formula must contain, including the minimum and maximum amounts for each substance. Beyond these required nutrients, manufacturers may add extra ingredients, provided their safety and benefits have been scientifically demonstrated and approved.
Goat milk formula has a strong smell and taste
Myth. Some parents worry that goat milk formula has a strong smell and taste, similar to goat's cheese. Smell and taste, however, are mainly determined by the fats in the formula, and in Kabrita goat milk formula these are replaced with a blend of vegetable oils. As a result, the smell and taste of Kabrita are comparable to those of cow milk-based formula.
Goat milk formula contains too little folic acid
Myth. The naturally occurring amount of folic acid in goat milk is topped up in goat milk formula to meet the legally required amount. So you can rest assured your baby gets enough folic acid.
Kabrita goat milk formula is produced entirely in the Netherlands
Fact. Kabrita goat milk formula is made from high-quality Dutch goat milk, supplied by a fixed group of more than 50 Dutch goat farmers. These farmers work to strict guidelines to safeguard both milk quality and animal welfare.
Kabrita goat milk-based formula
Did you know more goat milk is consumed worldwide than cow's milk? In the Netherlands, that's certainly not the case! Kabrita formula is a standard formula based on goat milk. Goat milk is naturally mild and forms a good basis for formula. Kabrita follow-on milk and growing-up milk combine the mildness of Dutch goat milk with valuable ingredients such as DHA* Omega-3 fatty acids and GOS dietary fibres. That makes Kabrita a suitable choice for babies and toddlers.
*As required by law for all follow-on and growing-up milk.
Want to learn more about the goats behind goat dairy products? Click here (Dutch-language site).
[1] Pensabene, L., Salvatore, S., D’Auria, E., Parisi, F., Concolino, D., Borrelli, O. Cow’s Milk Protein Allergy in Infancy: A Risk Factor for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders in Children? Nutrients. 2018;10(11):1716.