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I’m back to write another Holle formula post! But, I promise, this is the last vendor I will be working with. I previously found a great source for Holle in the US. However, the main issue with imported European formula sold in the US is… the cost. It’s a lot more expensive. That’s why I decided to partner with (and vet) a vendor based in Germany to find another, more affordable source for Holle, HiPP, and Lebenswert. (It does mean more planning on your end because regular shipping takes about 2-3 weeks.)
The company I am talking about is organicbabyfood24 (a.k.a. Organic Baby Food). I have had enough readers recommend organicbabyfood24 in the comments section of my Holle review that I thought it was worth checking them out.
So let me tell you a little about organicbabyfood24:
organicbabyfood24 is trusted. They have a Trusted Shops certification. (You can view the certificate here.) What that means is:
www.organicbabyfood24.de fulfills the Trusted Shops quality criteria and is thus awarded the Trusted Shops trustmark. Compliance with the criteria is continuously audited by experts. The audit covers areas such as data protection, costs and payment, delivery terms, returns processing and customer service.
You can protect your purchase up to an amount of EUR 2,500 against the loss of your payment in the event of non-delivery or after the return of the goods – regardless of the method of payment. The guarantee runs for 30 days. The shop bears the costs of the buyer protection for you!
Since the package has to go through customs, knowing that it will be insured up to $2,500 in the event of non-delivery is definitely reassuring.
organicbabyfood24 is fast (for shipping from Germany). Normally, all orders are processed and shipped on the same or next business day. Shipping takes approximately 2-3 weeks but they also offer expedited shipping which takes about 1-3 days business days. (East Coast is generally only 1 business day!!)
organicbabyfood24 is reliable. They have a large warehouse so they rarely run out of stock. In the majority of cases, they still have enough in-stock when there are temporary manufacturer supply chain issues.
Look at all of these beautiful boxes of formula:
organicbabyfood24 is selling authentic formula. They obtain their formula from two wholesalers who they have worked with since 2014. They deal directly with the wholesalers on a regular basis. As a result, they are immediately informed of any recalls or potential issues with the formula. All of the formulas are sold in its original packaging with long expiration dates.
organicbabyfood24 is responsive. I have been in contact with Laura, the customer service manager, who has always promptly answered my e-mails. She believes in the importance of providing fast and comprehensive support and typically answers all e-mails within 24 hours.
organicbabyfood24 is careful & thoughtful. They make sure to pack all their parcels very carefully and include the “do not irradiate” label. They know that the package has a long way to go and want to make sure that it arrives in good condition. They also include free samples like Holle’s porridge or vegan gummy bears. Sweet!
Lots and lots of packing peanuts!
organicbabyfood24 is more affordable. But, best of all, organicbabyfood24 is cheaper than any seller in the US. For instance, if you buy the Holle Formula Stage 1 Starter Kit (12 boxes), the cost is approximately $21.50/box, including shipping. And, if you buy the Holle Formula Stage 1 Big Kit (48 boxes), the cost is approximately $15.25/box, including shipping. Holy smokes!
They also regularly provide special offers and discount codes to customers.
Here’s some quick math:
Holle Formula Stage 1: A box of Holle Formula Stage 1 makes approximately 100oz of mixed formula. A typical three month old might drink 30oz of formula per day. If the baby is only on formula, you will need about 9 boxes/month. Thus, buying the Big Kit (48 boxes) will get you a little over 5 months worth of formula (more or less depending on how much your baby drinks).
Holle Formula Stage 2: A box of Holle Formula Stage 2 makes approximately 145oz of mixed formula. A typical six month old might drink 32oz of formula per day. If the baby is only on formula, you will need about 6.6 boxes/month. Thus, buying the Big Kit (36 boxes) will get you a little over 5 months worth of formula (more or less depending on how much your baby drinks).
So all this good and no bad right? Of course not.
My main concern, when buying formula from overseas, is related to customs and delivery. It’s a little nerve-wracking to spend hundreds of dollars on formula, wondering what might happen to the package along the way.
I raised the following concerns with Laura from organicbabyfood24 and this is what she had to say [text has been edited for clarity]:
Q: How long have you been in business and approximately how many orders have you processed to send to the US?
Laura: We have been in business for nearly 2 years now. Last year we shipped around 3000 parcels to the US.
Q: Are there additional custom/duty fees due upon receipt in the states?
Laura: There are no extra custom fees to be paid in the US.
Q: How do you ensure that the package does not get irradiated when passing through customs?
Laura: We always put a sticker on the parcel which says: “Do not irradiate! Organic Baby Food.” But, honestly, we cannot guarantee that customs will follow it. [Note: ANY package that has been irradiated must include the radura symbol.] However, I have spoken with the formula manufacturers who have told me that it would not affect the quality of the products in any way. What I can say is that we have never been contacted by our customers informing us that their formula was irradiated.
Q: To your knowledge, when going through customs, has the formula boxes been opened for inspection before? If so, to what extent?
Laura: The formula boxes have never been opened yet.
Q: Have you ever had issues getting a package through customs? If so, what was the issue and how was it resolved?
Laura: Sometimes, customs check the parcels and then there is a delay of a few days but they have never seized it.
Q: What has been the longest time period for delivery?
Laura: The longest period was around two months. But that was an exceptional case. In that event, we will either issue a refund or send the parcel again. We deliver with DHL and USPS. Our customers get the tracking numbers and have real-time overview regarding the delivery status. We know that the long delivery time is our main disadvantage but I think the better prices compensate for it. We advise that our customers plan for their demand of formula in advance and place their orders in time. With prior planning, there has been no problems with the delivery times.
So there you have it. I truly believe organicbabyfood24 is a trustworthy, reliable and more affordable vendor of Holle, HiPP and Lebenswert formula. If ordering in bulk is a concern, know that I originally ordered 20 boxes from Germany. I ended up having a few boxes leftover and was easily able to resell it to acquaintances. (Granted, I do live in NYC where people are far more likely to be familiar with European brand formulas.)
If you are always looking for the best prices on a product and are good at planning ahead, then organicbabyfood24 is definitely one of the best options available for European formula.
And for Mommy to Max readers only, you can use coupon code MTM10 for 10% off your order!
I would love to know if you choose to buy formula from organicbabyfood24 and how your experience is!
UPDATE 08/08/2016: I have since written a comprehensive Best European Organic Baby Formula Guide that you should read before making any decisions on what brand to buy!
Lotus, How long have you been feeding Holle now?
Hi Marie, I am not currently feeding Holle to my second child. I did, however, feed Holle to Max for about 5 months.
Thank you for this blogpost. May i ask what you are feeding your 2nd child? My 4th is 4 months old, and i’m struggling with formula. He has a soy allergy. I nursed all my other children exclusively, but for multiple reasons could not continue nursing #4.
Hi Nicole, I am so sorry I missed your comment until now! I am fortunate enough still to be breastfeeding my 2nd. Holle doesn’t contain soy so I don’t think it should be an issue.
Amazing products for my baby boy! We have ordered at organicbabyfood24.com
Great customer service and packet arrived within 10 days.
I’m so happy to hear that. The shipping speed is faster than expected too!
I was super impressed with organicbabyfood24.com! 😀 I was a bit skeptical to order something that would be coming to me overseas but after hearing really great things, I decided to try it. My package came so much quicker than I thought it would, they threw in all kinds of extra goodies like free samples and a cute tote bag, and customer service was awesome. Will definitely be ordering from them again!!
Hello, I have done extensive research about Holle and their formula. I have recently purchased 2 boxes of Holle (goals milk stage 1) from 2 different US companies.
The first box arrived a few days ago and I have a feeling I bought it from a bogus company. The box was destroyed and there was a piece of paper thanking me for my business and where I can find preparation instructions. Which only leads me to believe this company opened the box to place the letter. Although the bag of formula was not tampered with.
The second box arrived today and I’ve been comparing the 2 boxes. There are some differences between the two…how do I know if I have a legit formula?
The 2nd box that arrived today came from a company that has been highly recommended and reliable. The box was in pristine condition and there was no “thank you” letter. The bag of formula in this box had a QR code on it and the 1st box did not.
Can you give me an indication from the box or the bag to determine what is the real formula. Thank you for your time and all your hard work researching this formula.
~concerned mom
Hi Miranda, I just checked my boxes of stage 2 Holle (not goats milk) and they do not have QR codes. That’s not to say I know whether or not the formula you received is legit. However, I would be far more concerned about receiving formula where the box was destroyed. Holle formula definitely does not come with a thank you note inside!
The best way to feel safe about the formula you are getting is to buy from a reliable and trustworthy vendor! I have thoroughly vetted the two vendors I recommend on my blog. And that is why I don’t recommend many, although, I have had many people reach out to me asking me to do just that.
Since you have purchased the formula already, reach out to the vendors you purchased from regarding authenticity. Ask where they obtain their formula from and whether or not they can show proof of purchase orders from Germany and how they store the formula. I hope this helps!
Hi! I am just reading this now as I am going through verifying baby formula as well. I ordered from the below vendor you recommended organic baby formula 24 . Did you authenticate them as well and make sure they are legitimate?
Yes I did – I also purchased from them personally when I needed formula for my kids.
Hi Lotus, recently I came across your blog and I have done some research on the Holle formula and organicbabyfood24.com, the German online vendor has an address listed in Hannover, but their service phone number has an Hamburg area code, normally a company’s service numbers tend be within the distribution facility for faster coordination/customer service purposes. Of course this is not to say that organicbabyfood24 is not legit, have you checked with organicbabyfood24 on this previously? Thanks:)
Hi Gina, that’s a great question. I checked with organicbaby24 and they informed me that their phone number has a Hamburg area code because it’s not a landline but an online-based telephone connection and the number was randomly assigned.
However, all calls are still accepted and answered through their service team. They just use a cloud telephone system because it helps them to avoid issues like busy telephone lines. I hope that answers your concerns!
Hi Gina,
we believe in the importance of providing fast and comprehensive support! Therefore I’m very happy to present you our NEW toll free service phone for all customers from Canada und United Staates.
Our service team is always there to assist you. Feel free to contact us: ☎ 1-800-701-4303
Best Regards from Germany,
Laura
what are your hours of operation for you call center ? I have tried calling but I get a voicemail message .
Thank you so much for the recommendation. I have placed my order there and now waiting for the parcel;) Everything seems fine so far and the customer service is very friendly and helpful.
Hi Tom, thanks for leaving feedback!
Hello, I want to try a goats milk stage 2 formula but the cost of shipping is double! Is that corrct? Any suggestions to get the shipping down? Thanks~!
Hi Betty, that doesn’t sound right. I would definitely suggest that you reach out to customer service to clarify. Also, you can use the coupon code: SHP10 to receive $10 off shipping on your first order. Good luck!
Dear Betty,
yes you are right, shipping for only one box isn’t worth because we are shipping directly from Germany (where the organic formulas are made). But if you buy more than two boxes, we have the most affordable prices (including shipping).
We highly recommend our Starter Kit Goat Stage 2 (for approx 2 month supply). You will end up at $19 per box (including shipping). Our prices are much better than anywhere else on the web.
All the best,
Laura (Customer Service)
Hi Laura,
Is your website only down temporarily?
Hi Kaveh,
thanks for your message. Yes, we are just temporarily down because we do some technical updates. We will be back within the next couple minutes.
Best Regards from Germany,
Laura
Here we are again! I’m so happy that our technical division worked with lightning speed 😉
I’m also very happy to present you our NEW Airmail Express shipping method with super fast delivery within 1-3 days!
Warm regards,
Laura
Hi, I just added a starter kit to my cart and the only shipping options are 20-30 days for $65 or express for $85. Perhaps prices have increased since your last comment, but this puts my order at roughly $26 per box with shipping, not $19.
Hi, I am so sorry to hear about your unfortunate incident. I have never heard of this happening with anyone else. I have personally ordered from them with no issues but I can only imagine how frustrating it must be to have to deal with customs and shipping issues.
I have since been in touch with the company and they informed me that they issued you a full refund. I know that does not solve your problems completely but that is certainly one of the risks of ordering formula internationally. I raised this as a possibility in my review but many people still opt for this route because it is also the most affordable method. You just have to weigh the pros and cons. Hopefully, by now, you have formula for your baby.
Hi, I’m sure it’s not common, I ordered from them in the past and it did went smoothly… I was just frustrated and needed to let it out.
They did contact me and problem was solved to my satisfaction so they deserve thumbs up for that.
I am trying to delete my initial comment but can’t find how to do this, can you please delete it for me?
Thanks!
Hi Asaf,
We really believe in the importance of providing best customer support so I hope that everything is fine now! If there are any issues please feel free to contact us – our service team is always there to assist you.
All the best from Germany,
Laura
From start to finish our experience with ordering was fantastic.
Firstly, we love that they offer 3 different shipping options. We used air shipping both times to receive our order in 3 business days (to Western Canada). Secondly, they add many samples & a coupon in your package. Thirdly, customer service is excellent and quick to respond via email.
Highly recommend
just curious as to why it is so much cheaper on this website then the others?
Hi Aricela,
Because we are shipping directly from Germany – where the organic formulas are made. We are a established German organic food company with a big warehouse and a perfect network of formula manufacturers. As a result, we are immediately informed of any recalls or potential issues with the formula and we always ship the freshest batch available on market.
We are right at the source of supply so we can offer prices up to 60% cheaper than anywhere else on the web.
Best regards from Germany,
Philipp
Hello Lotus I was hoping you could help me out on answering some questions i have about Holle. My baby girl has been on stage 1 from the time she was born to 6 months – then stage 2 ( she is now 8 months) do i switch to stage 3 at 10 months of age…? and what is the stage 4, don’t most people just switch to whole milk at age 1? sorry for all the questions just feeling a little bit lost with the language barrier and all 🙂 thank you in advance
Hello Lotus, My LO is 4 months and my wife is pumping but we are running short of breast milk now. I ordered a packet of Lebenswert Bio Stage 1 and really loved it. After doing some research, I found that Holle Pre has similar ingredients and the more stringent Demeter label. The only ingredient in it that sounds suspect is cream powder 10%. Do you know what cream powder is and how safe it is?
Also, in my limited research, I found Demeter to be more stringent than Bioland. What is your opinion in than matter?
Thank you for the amazing blog post and keep up the good work. I hope US manufacturers realize the market for such products and adopt similar practices.
Hi Dhawal, I haven’t researched cream powder. Holle Pre is the only formula that I’ve seen to list it as an ingredient. I interpreted it to mean that the milk used was the fattier, richer portion (i.e., cream.) If you are concerned, though, I’d suggest you reach out to the manufacturer.
In my research, I have also found Demeter to be more stringent than Bioland but I’d imagine we are splitting hairs. If Lebenswert Bio Stage 1 works well for your baby, there might not be a reason to try another formula!
I just want to give a BIG shout out to http://organicbabyfood24.com/. I was the unlucky one whose Holle PRE shipment got held up by the U.S. Customs (N.Y. Office specially) for 6+ weeks! I even called the Customs field office 4 weeks into this 6-week+ window to no avail. Laura and team stayed connected with me with total professionalism, and actually refunded me the cost a couple weeks before the shipment mysteriously showed up by my front door! I insisted on repaying for the shipment but you guys kindly turned down…I still feel really bad about it but would definitely want to share my story with anyone looking for the highest quality of organic baby food from a company who truly cares about its customers! I look forward to ordering from you guys again, soon! Xoxo
Thanks for the feedback! I’m really sorry to hear your shipment got held up by customs – you really are one of the unlucky ones. But I’m so glad to know that Laura and her team handled everything right!! Also, it sounds like you planned your order well in advance so good for you!
Thank you for all the helpful comments. I justed placed my first order of 12 boxes of Holle pre from organicbabyfood24.com