Holle — brand overview

Updated 3 months ago

About Holle

Holle is a Swiss-German organic baby food company founded in 1933 — one of the oldest organic baby formula brands in the world. The company was built on biodynamic farming principles from its earliest days, and has been Demeter-certified since 1934, making it one of the first and longest-standing Demeter partners in the infant nutrition industry.

Holle’s cow milk is sourced from certified organic farms in Germany. Their goat milk comes from biodynamic farms in the Netherlands, Austria and Germany. All processing takes place in Germany, with the company headquarters in Riehen, Switzerland.

Holle is known for one of the shortest, cleanest ingredient lists of any European formula brand — a philosophy of giving babies only what they need, without unnecessary additives.

Certifications

• EU Organic — all Holle formulas meet EU organic certification standards, ensuring they are free from GMOs, synthetic pesticides, growth hormones, antibiotics and artificial additives
• Demeter — Holle cow milk formulas carry Demeter biodynamic certification, the strictest organic standard in the world. Demeter requires closed farm ecosystems, strict animal welfare (cows are never dehorned), annual independent audits and farming practices that protect soil, biodiversity and the wider ecosystem
• Holle goat milk formulas — produced to biodynamic standards but do not carry the Demeter label, as EU regulations require animals to have outdoor access and goats prefer the option of going indoors depending on the weather. The quality of the goat milk and farming practices is equivalent to Demeter standards

What makes Holle distinctive

• Shortest ingredient list — Holle formulas contain only what is nutritionally necessary. No added probiotics, no artificial thickeners, no unnecessary additives
• Palm oil-free — all Holle formulas use a blend of sunflower and rapeseed oil instead of palm oil
• Demeter since 1934 — one of the longest-standing relationships between a formula brand and a biodynamic certification body
• Widest stage range — Holle offers formulas from Stage PRE through Stage 4, covering birth to 24+ months across both cow and goat milk ranges

The Holle range

Holle Cow Milk formula

Holle’s classic cow milk range, made with Demeter-certified organic skimmed milk from German biodynamic farms. Stage PRE contains only lactose as a carbohydrate — the closest to breast milk. From Stage 1 onwards, maltodextrin is added as a supplementary carbohydrate; from Stage 2, starch is also included. Available in German (400–600g boxes) and Dutch (800g tins) versions across Stage PRE through Stage 4.

Holle Goat Milk formula

Made with full-cream goat milk from biodynamic farms in the Netherlands, Austria and Germany. Goat milk contains smaller proteins and naturally higher levels of oligosaccharides than cow milk, making it easier to digest for some babies. Palm oil-free. Available from Stage PRE through Stage 4 in German versions, and Stage 1 through Stage 4 in Dutch (800g tin) versions.

Holle A2 Cow Milk formula

A2 milk contains only the A2 beta-casein protein — the original form of cow milk protein before A1 protein emerged through selective breeding. Some babies who experience digestive discomfort on standard cow milk formula tolerate A2 milk better, because A2 protein is broken down differently during digestion. Holle A2 is Demeter-certified, palm oil-free and lactose-only at Stage 1. A good alternative for parents considering goat milk who prefer to stay within a cow milk formula. Available in Stage 1, 2 and 3.