Foreign baby formula has arrived in Rhode Island

Baby formula from the United Kingdom and Australia is approved and determined to be a healthy alternate formula for use in the United States. (This shipment is expected to help mitigate the impacts of the ongoing, national formula shortage.) The first batch of formula includes Kendamil Classic, Kendamil organic formula, and seven types of Bubs brand formula, and is expected to be in Target stores in Rhode Island this week. (See pictures of sample product labels below. To see labels of all products, visit the FDA’s website.)

“We are grateful that the United Kingdom and Australia’s formula manufacturers were able to make these products available to families here in Rhode Island and the United States, through the President’s Operation Fly Formula,” said Governor Dan McKee.

“Although the labels look a little different, this formula has been approved by the federal government and is safe for parents to use,” said Interim Director of Health James McDonald, MD, MPH. “This is just the first batch of formula that will be available soon in retail stores. More is coming. Please buy just what you need, as we want to assure that everyone has the chance to buy some.”

Anyone with questions about which formula to use should call RIDOH’s Health Information Line at 401-222-5960 or their child’s pediatrician.

Just like formula that is made in the US, parents should follow the manufacturer’s directions on how to prepare it. Directions on these cans of formula use metric measurements. The conversion from milliliters (mL) to fluid ounces is:

1 fluid ounce = 30 mL

2 fluid ounces = 60 mL

3 fluid ounces = 90 mL

4 fluid ounces = 120 mL

5 fluid ounces = 150 mL

6 fluid ounces = 180 mL

7 fluid ounces = 210 mL

8 fluid ounces = 240 mL

Details on products:

Product name	Container size	US Equivalent products
Kendamil EU Classic First Infant Milk Stage 1	900 g/31.75 oz.	Similar to US standard infant formulas like Similac Advance or Enfamil Neuro PRO; Kendamil Stage 1 is only for infants up to six months
Kendamil EU Organic First Milk Infant Milk Stage 1	800 g/28.22 oz.	Similar to US standard infant organic formulas like Similac Organic; Kendamil Stage 1 is only used for infants up to six months
Kendamil EU Goat First Milk Infant Milk Stage 1	800 g/28.22 oz.	No US equivalent
Bubs Organic Grass Fed Infant Formula Stage 1	800 g/28.19 oz.	Similar to US standard infant organic formulas like Similac Organic; Bubs Stage 1 is only used for infants up to six months
Bubs Organic Grass Fed Follow-On Formula Stage 2	800 g/28.19 oz.	Similar to US standard infant organic formulas like Similac Organic; Bubs Stage 2 is only used for infants age six to 12 months
Bubs Supreme A2 Beta-Casein Protein Infant Formula Stage 1	800 g/28.19 oz.	Similar to US Similac Organic because both Bubs and Similac contain A2 beta casein milk protein. Stage 1 formula is only used for infants up to six months
Bubs Supreme A2 Beta-Casein Protein Follow-On Formula Stage 2	800 g/28.19 oz	Similar to US Similac Organic because both Bubs and Similac contain A2 beta casein milk protein. Stage 2 formula is only used for infants age six to 12 months.
Bubs Easy-digest Goat Milk Infant Formula Stage 1	800 g/28.19 oz.	No US equivalent
Bubs Easy-digest Goat Milk Infant Formula Stage 2	800 g/28.19 oz.	No US equivalent

For regularly updated information on the national formula shortage, visit RIDOH’s website.

Sample Kendamil product labels

Sample Bubs brand product labels