Fed up with brands that use corn syrup and skim milk, this mother developed her own ‘clean’ baby formula

When Esther Hallam welcomed her daughter Nara into the world, she found herself struggling to find a reliable brand offering high-quality, organic infant formula in the United States. Despite infant formula being available for nearly 160 years, Hallam believes the quality has not improved significantly. Many companies often use skim milk to reduce costs, supplementing it with oils to meet nutritional needs. Alarmingly, several formulas include palm oil, soy, and corn syrup, which have raised health concerns for infants. Research has linked corn syrup to obesity risks, while palm oil can hinder calcium and fat absorption. "I became fixated on the fact that there wasn’t a trustworthy, organic infant formula available in the U.S., which is considered a first-world country," Hallam shared with TechCrunch. For the last seven years, she has been working diligently to create her own organic, whole-milk infant formula, collaborating with scientists and pediatric nutritionists. Today marks the launch of Nara Organics, a product meeting both U.S. and European safety standards while being FDA-registered and USDA-certified. What sets Nara Organics apart is its commitment to quality, as the formula is devoid of palm oil, soy, corn syrup, maltodextrin, and genetically modified organisms (GMOs). This offers a clean alternative for parents keen on the best nutrition for their infants. Nara Organics boasts the highest milk fat percentage among U.S. formulas and the lowest plant-based oil content, thanks to its use of whole milk, which necessitates less oil to achieve the desired fat ratio. The formula includes an "organic vegetable oil blend" derived from organic sunflower, coconut, and rapeseed oils, which provide vital fatty acids essential for healthy growth. While other brands like Bobbie and ByHeart offer organic formulas manufactured in the U.S., Hallam's company opted for production in Germany, mitigating concerns linked to previous Cronobacter contamination issues that have led to several formula recalls in the U.S. Chief Marketing Officer Meika Hollender explained, "Our manufacturing partner utilizes technology that’s unparalleled globally. A key factor in infant formula shelf life is the amount of oxygen that permeates the can during sealing. In U.S. facilities, the process is exposed to the open air, whereas our facility employs a chamber free from oxygen during canning." Nara Organics has successfully raised $32 million from various investors, including AlleyCorp, BBG Ventures, Corazon Ventures, Gingerbread Capital, and Torch Capital. The company has also garnered support from notable celebrity investors such as tennis champion Serena Williams, actress Gina Rodriguez, and fashion designer Nicky Hilton. Hilton expressed her enthusiasm, stating, "Every baby and parent is different, and not all mothers can breastfeed for various reasons. It’s exciting to be part of a brand that’s innovating the baby formula market." With this backing, Nara Organics is poised to make a significant impact in the organic infant formula sector, a market valued at approximately $20.7 billion in 2023, projected to grow to $37 billion by 2032. The formula is currently available for purchase on the company’s website, with a starter bundle priced at $36 for two cans. Customers can also opt for a subscription service that provides either four or six cans every four weeks, costing $136 or $243, respectively. Each can yields about 25 four-ounce bottles. Additionally, Hallam launched a mobile app in 2018 to support users in tracking vital aspects of infant care, such as feeding schedules and diaper logs. As part of its launch efforts, the company is donating over 1,400 cans of formula to the Good+ Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to combating multi-generational poverty by providing essential resources to underprivileged families.