Plant-based formulas offer a dairy-free alternative to traditional milk-based formulas, making them ideal for babies with lactose intolerance, cow’s milk protein allergies, or families following a vegan lifestyle. These formulas are typically made from pea, rice, or soy proteins, ensuring a complete amino acid profile for proper growth and development.

One of the key benefits is digestibility—many plant-based formulas are gentler on sensitive stomachs, reducing issues like colic, gas, and bloating. They also avoid common allergens found in dairy-based formulas, such as casein and whey, making them a safer option for infants prone to allergic reactions.

Sprout Organic stands out as the best plant-based infant formulas due to its clean, organic ingredients, allergen-free composition, and complete nutrition. Unlike many plant-based formulas that rely on soy or synthetic additives, Sprout uses pea and rice proteins, ensuring a gentle, digestible alternative for infants.

Here’s why Sprout is our top choice:

• 100% Vegan & Organic – Free from dairy, soy, palm oil, and GMOs, making it ideal for babies with sensitivities or allergies.
• Balanced Nutrition – Includes DHA, ARA, vitamins, and minerals to support brain development, immune health, and strong bones.
• Gentle on Digestion – Designed to be easy to digest, reducing issues like colic, gas, and bloating.
• Sustainable & Ethical – Uses coconut oil instead of palm oil, promoting eco-friendly farming practices.

Sprout Organic is a trusted brand, offering a safe, plant-based formula that aligns with vegan and eco-conscious parenting.

Sprout Organic is an Australian-based company that specializes in plant-based, vegan infant formulas. Sprout Organic officially launched its vegan infant formula in 2021, after navigating complex regulatory approvals to ensure compliance with FSANZ standards.

Key Highlights of Sprout Organic

• World’s First Vegan Infant Formula – Sprout created the first fully plant-based, organic infant formula, free from dairy, soy, gluten, and preservatives.
• Certified Organic & Paediatrician Approved – Their formulas meet FSANZ standards and are approved by nutritionists and paediatricians.
• Award-Winning Innovation – Sprout won the World Food Innovation Award for ‘Best Children’s Product’ in a UK ceremony.
• Expanding Global Presence – Available in 1,500+ stores across Australia

Sprout Organic is proudly Australian-made and owned, sourcing ingredients locally whenever possible. Their formulas use rice starch as a base, a safe and widely used ingredient in European infant formulas.

Sprout Plant Based Infant Formula is manufactured in Australia and is regulated by, and must comply with the FSANZ standard. This is the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code, which sets mandatory food safety, labeling, and composition regulations for all food sold in Australia and New Zealand.

Key Aspects of FSANZ Standards

• Food Safety & Handling – Covers processing, storage, and hygiene requirements to ensure food is safe for consumption.
• Labeling & Advertising – Regulates ingredient lists, nutrition panels, allergen warnings, and health claims.
• Food Composition – Defines acceptable ingredients, contaminants, residues, and additives in food products.
• Infant Formula Regulations – Ensures that baby formulas meet strict nutritional and safety guidelines.

FSANZ standards are legally enforced, meaning all food manufacturers—including Sprout Organic—must comply with these regulations before selling product.

Rice and pea protein formulas are often considered better than soy-based formulas due to their digestibility, allergen profile, and nutritional balance. The key benefits are listed below.

1. Hypoallergenic & Gentle on Digestion – Soy protein contains phytoestrogens, which may affect hormone development, and can be harder to digest for some infants. Rice and pea proteins, on the other hand, are free from common allergens and easier on sensitive stomachs.
2. Balanced Amino Acid Profile – While soy is a complete protein, pea and rice proteins complement each other, ensuring a full spectrum of essential amino acids for proper growth.
3. No Soy-Related Concerns – Soy formulas may contain genetically modified ingredients (GMOs) and anti-nutrients that can interfere with nutrient absorption. Many rice and pea formulas are organic and free from GMOs, making them a cleaner choice.
4. Better for Sensitive Babies – Some infants experience gas, bloating, or digestive discomfort with soy formulas. Rice and pea proteins are gentler, forming softer curds in the stomach, which aids digestion.

Sprout Plant Based formula is 100% vegan certified. It carries the “Vegan Australia Certified” logo which is a trusted symbol that ensures a product is 100% vegan, meaning it contains no animal-derived ingredients and has not been tested on animals at any stage of production. This certification guarantees that the product meets strict vegan standards, including avoiding dairy, eggs, honey, gelatin, and lanolin-derived vitamin D.

Businesses displaying this logo have undergone a verification process to confirm their products align with ethical, environmental, and cruelty-free principles. It ensures that you are purchasing an authentic vegan product without needing to scrutinize the ingredient lists.

Sprout Organic is a healthier choice compared to soy-based formulas because it avoids common allergens and synthetic additives while providing complete plant-based nutrition. Unlike soy formulas, which rely on soy protein isolate, Sprout uses pea and rice proteins, ensuring a gentler, more digestible alternative for infants.

Soy formulas often contain phytoestrogens, which may impact hormone development, whereas Sprout is free from soy, lactose, and dairy, making it ideal for babies with sensitivities or allergies. Additionally, Sprout does not contain GMOs, artificial preservatives, and palm oil, which are commonly found in soy-based options.

Vegan formula brands like Sprout Organic and Bébé M are imported via specialty retailers like GrowOrganicBaby.com.

When parents want the healthiest plant based start for their little ones, GrowOrganicBaby.com is the #1 Choice for Organic Baby Formula in the U.S.

Grow Organic Baby is the exclusive Sprout Organic US Distributor, and the only U.S. retailer offering Sprout Organic, the world’s first vegan-certified 100% plant based organic baby formula.

A trusted US Based Seller since 2016, we are located in Los Angeles and have a proven track record of providing exceptional service to customers and is the best place to buy vegan baby formula in the USA.

The benefits of us being US based are:

• Contactable by phone or text
• Customer Service based in the US time zone for faster response
• Ship returns domestically for refund
• Local pick up or delivery for LA/OC based formula emergency

Simply put, GrowOrganicBaby.com offers what no other competitor can — exclusive access to Sprout Organic, US based customer service, fast delivery options and most importantly a long history of reliability and trustworthiness.

Vegan baby formula is made entirely from only plant-based sources, free from any animal ingredients or byproducts. Unlike conventional baby formulas made with cow's or goat's milk, vegan formulas use plant proteins like soy, rice, or pea to deliver essential nutrients for healthy growth and development. 

We recently published an article comparing the 3 Vegan Baby Formula Options for babies 0–12 Months. 

Below is a comparison of Bébé M, Preminat, and Sprout Organic formulas:

These terms often overlap are easily confused even though there are significant differences between a “vegan vs plant-based formula”. The table below summarizes the meaning of each term.

Plants typically lack certain nutrients found in animal products, especially vitamin B12, vitamin D, DHA, and sometimes iron, calcium, and iodine. For plant-based formula these are replaced through careful fortification and ingredient selection to ensure safety and completeness for infants.

It took years of research to develop blends that were safe, digestible, and nutritionally complete for infants under 12 months

Vegan Baby Formula Nutrition Facts—How They're Replaced

As of 2025, there are three fully vegan formulas globally that are specifically formulated and approved for infants under 12 months: Sprout Organic (Australia), Bébé M (France), and Preminat (formerly Premiriz, also from France).

To be considered safe for babies under 12 months, a vegan formula must:

• Meet strict nutritional standards for infant growth and development
• Be approved by regulatory authorities for use from birth (0–12 months)
• Include complete protein sources (e.g., hydrolyzed rice, pea protein) with added amino acids
• Be fortified with essential nutrients like DHA, vitamin D (from non-animal sources), B12, calcium, and iron
• Be free from common allergens like dairy, soy, and gluten

For example, Sprout Organic is regulated by the Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ). A government regulator that independently sets the minimum food standards which are significantly higher than the FDA.

Yes, it likely helps prevent sugar cravings, but for a unique reason.

Unlike standard formulas that rely on sugars (lactose, sucrose, or corn syrup) for carbohydrates, Sprout Organic is plant-based and derives its carbohydrates primarily from organic rice starch. This gives it a significantly different sugar profile than both breast milk and standard dairy formulas.

Here is how Sprout Organic stacks up regarding sugar cravings and taste programming:

1. It Has No "Hyper-Sweet" Ingredients

Sprout Organic is free from the intense sweeteners that are often blamed for "programming" a baby's palate for sugary foods.

• No Corn Syrup Solids: Common in many US plant-based or sensitive formulas.
• No Sucrose (Table Sugar): Often used to mask the taste of hydrolyzed proteins in other brands.
• The Benefit: By avoiding these high-intensity sweeteners, Sprout Organic prevents the "sugar spike" and intense flavor hits that can lead to cravings later in childhood.

2. It Is Exceptionally Low in Sugar

Because Sprout uses rice starch (a complex carbohydrate) rather than lactose (a simple sugar) as its energy source, its actual sugar content is very low.

• Sprout Organic: ~0.5g of sugar per 100ml (derived naturally from the rice).
• Standard Dairy Formula: ~7g of sugar (lactose) per 100ml.
• Breast Milk: ~7g of sugar (lactose) per 100ml.

The "Taste Training" Effect:
Because the formula is not dominated by sugar (even natural milk sugar), it has a neutral, starchy taste rather than a sweet one. This may help "train" a baby's palate to accept less sweet flavors, potentially making them more open to savory vegetables and solids later on.

Yes. The formula is completely free from lactose, casein, and whey, making it suitable for babies with dairy sensitivities or allergies.

No. The formula’s natural sweetness comes from the organic rice base — no added sugars are included.

Yes. The vitamin D contained in Sprout is derived from plants whereas nearly all other plant based formula contains vitamin D extracted from lanolin, a substance derived from sheep’s wool and so cannot claim to be free of all animal by-products.

Sprout carries the “Vegan Australia Certified” logo which is a trusted symbol that ensures a product is 100% vegan.