The fat structure in Betapol® matches the structure of breast milk fat as closely as possible. Scientific studies have shown that this gives the same kind of positive benefits to premature and term babies as breast milk does, such as increased fat absorption, increased calcium absorption, softer stools, and improved bone mineral density and bone mineral content.

It is based on the unique fatty acid composition of human breast milk, the gold standard for infant formula.

Although manufacturers must list all ingredients in an infant formula, some may only indicate the inclusion of Betapol® as ‘vegetable oil’ in the ingredients list. However an increasing number of formulas feature the Betapol® logo or state the benefits on the packaging. If you are unsure if a formula includes Betapol®, see if it is listed in the ‘Shopping for Betapol®’ section on this website, or contact the formula manufacturer.

For a complete list of infant formula containing Betapol® and where to find them, please visit the Shopping for Betapol® section of this website. 

Several clinical studies have shown that, compared to conventional infant formulas, those containing Betapol® increase calcium absorption, fat absorption, and produces softer stools in babies.

Babies need every bit of the energy in human breast milk for healthy growth and development. The increased fat absorption caused by Betapol® simply brings bottle-fed babies closer to the ‘natural’ level of fat absorption that occurs in babies after drinking mother’s milk. Betapol®-fed babies are no more prone to childhood obesity than the average breast-fed baby.

Lipids have been classically defined as substances that are generally insoluble in water, but soluble in organic non-polar solvents. Dietary fats are often referred to as lipids.

Lipids fulfill a variety of important functions in the body. They can act as an energy source, a structural component or as a hormone-like entity.