Why we chose organic, palm oil-free and French milk

Why we chose organic,

palm oil-free and French milk…

The framework first: baby formula is highly regulated

Before talking about our choices, one important point. All baby formulas sold in France comply with strict European regulations: every nutrient has a minimum and maximum threshold, the composition is regulated in the finest detail, and controls are rigorous. Whatever formula you choose, your baby will receive the essential nutrients for their development.

What this means in practice: the differences between infant formulas are far smaller than the difference between any infant formula and breast milk. It cannot be said enough: no artificial milk will ever come close to breast milk. That is why the choices that exist between infant formulas are also, in large part, choices of conviction.

Here are ours.

Organic: more than just a certification

Choosing an organic baby formula is, above all, a commitment to the planet and to those who produce the raw material: milk (cow's milk, in our case).

The organic farming specification sets out precise requirements:

Mandatory access to the outdoors and pastures: cows graze for a minimum of 180 days a year. In winter, daily outings are maintained — because animal welfare doesn't stop in spring.
No synthetic pesticides or GMOs
Restricted veterinary treatments

Choosing an organic baby formula means promoting practices that respect animal welfare and preserve soils and biodiversity in the long term. For us, it is a way of caring for the children of today and tomorrow.

Palm oil-free: a matter of conviction

Why do some infant formulas contain palm oil? Because breast milk is rich in palmitic acid, a fatty acid essential to baby's development. To replicate this, some manufacturers use palm oil, which naturally contains a high amount of it.

But palm oil remains one of the most harmful crops for ecosystems (deforestation, destruction of biodiversity, climate impact). At Popote, we have therefore chosen not to use it, and to provide palmitic acid another way: through cream from milk, which has the advantage of being locally sourced (hurray!), easier to digest, and as a bonus gives the formula a better taste.

Milk sourced in France — a little support for our local producers

Many ingredients go into the baby formula (such is the magic of breast milk) and some come from far away when no French or European supply chain exists. But the main raw material in our formulas is cow's milk — and the good news is that the cow's milk in our formulas is 100% French and comes from a cooperative model. Which means that 100% of the profits generated by the cow's milk go back to the farmers and the cooperative.

Our manufacturer has also set measurable environmental targets for 2030: -20% carbon footprint per litre of milk, -40% water consumption in factories… And farmers committed to reducing carbon emissions and protecting biodiversity receive a sustainability bonus on top of their base price.

Working with local farmers means building a relationship based on proximity, transparency, and shared value with the people who produce the raw material for our milks.

Not forgetting our 100% recyclable tins

All the packaging for our baby formulas, from the metal tin to the lid and the scoop, can be placed in the recycling bin. It's not the main focus of this article, but we couldn't not mention it.