GUIDE
Similac Organic vs. Enfamil Organic
Both are USDA Organic and meet identical FDA requirements. The main differences are fat source, proprietary ingredient additions, and taste — not base nutrition.
Similac Organic and Enfamil Organic are the organic lines from the two biggest formula brands in the U.S. Both cost more than their conventional counterparts and significantly more than store-brand organic options. This guide breaks down what is actually different and whether the name-brand organic premium is worth it.
The Honest Starting Point
If you have already decided on organic formula, the Similac Organic vs. Enfamil Organic choice is more about brand preference than meaningful nutritional differences. Both are USDA Organic. Both use organic lactose as the sole carbohydrate. Both meet the same FDA nutritional standards.
The real differences mirror the conventional Similac vs. Enfamil debate: different fat blends, different proprietary ingredient additions (HMO vs. MFGM), and slightly different taste profiles. Neither has been shown to produce better outcomes in healthy babies.
Before spending the premium on name-brand organic, it is worth knowing that store-brand organic formulas like Happy Baby Organic cost 15–25% less and carry the same USDA Organic certification. The premium you pay for Similac Organic or Enfamil Organic mostly buys the proprietary additions (HMO or MFGM) and brand familiarity.
For the broader name-brand comparison, see our Enfamil vs. Similac guide. For all organic options, see best organic baby formulas.
| Feature | Similac Organic | Enfamil Organic | What It Means |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Abbott Laboratories | Reckitt (Mead Johnson) | Both are major pharmaceutical/nutrition companies with decades of formula manufacturing. |
| Organic certification | USDA Organic | USDA Organic | Same certification standard. No synthetic pesticides, no GMOs, no growth hormones. |
| Protein source | Organic nonfat milk | Organic nonfat milk, organic whey protein concentrate | Similar protein bases. Enfamil adds organic whey protein concentrate for casein-to-whey ratio adjustment. |
| Carbohydrate source | Organic lactose | Organic lactose | Both use organic lactose as the sole carbohydrate. No corn syrup solids. |
| Fat source | Organic high oleic sunflower, organic soy, organic coconut oils (no palm olein) | Organic palm olein, organic soy, organic coconut, organic high oleic sunflower oils | Same fat source difference as their conventional lines. Similac avoids palm olein; Enfamil uses it. |
| Signature ingredient | 2'-FL HMO (human milk oligosaccharide) | MFGM (milk fat globule membrane) | Different proprietary additions. HMO is a prebiotic found in breast milk. MFGM supports brain development. Evidence for both in formula is promising but limited. |
| DHA/ARA | Yes, from organic algal and fungal oils | Yes, from organic algal and fungal oils | Both include DHA and ARA. Sourcing methods are similar in organic lines. |
| Price per oz (powder) | ~$1.30–$1.50/oz prepared | ~$1.30–$1.50/oz prepared | Comparable pricing. Both cost 20–40% more than their conventional versions. |
| Available at | Grocery stores, pharmacies, Amazon, Target, Walmart | Grocery stores, pharmacies, Amazon, Target, Walmart | Both widely available. No accessibility difference. |
The Ingredient Differences That Actually Matter
The organic lines from both brands carry over the same key differences as their conventional formulas.
Fat source: palm olein vs. no palm olein
This is the same debate as conventional Similac vs. Enfamil. Enfamil Organic uses organic palm olein. Similac Organic does not. Some research links palm olein to slightly firmer stools and modestly reduced calcium absorption. Similac markets this distinction heavily. No major pediatric organization has recommended against palm olein in formula.
HMO vs. MFGM: different proprietary bets
Similac Organic includes 2'-FL HMO, a human milk oligosaccharide that acts as a prebiotic. Enfamil Organic includes MFGM (milk fat globule membrane), a compound found in breast milk that may support brain development. Both are real components of breast milk. Both have promising but limited evidence in formula settings. Neither has been proven to produce meaningfully different outcomes in healthy, full-term babies.
What is the same
The base nutrition — protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, DHA, ARA — meets the same FDA requirements. Both use organic lactose. Both avoid corn syrup solids. Both carry USDA Organic certification. The 29 nutrients the FDA requires are equivalent across both formulas.
The Store-Brand Organic Question
Here is the context most name-brand marketing omits: Happy Baby Organic and Earth's Best Organic carry the same USDA Organic certification as Similac Organic and Enfamil Organic. They cost 15–25% less. The main things they lack are the proprietary additions — HMO and MFGM.
If the HMO or MFGM additions are important to you, the name brands deliver those. If your primary goal is organic sourcing (no synthetic pesticides, no GMOs), store-brand organic achieves that at a lower price. The AAP does not recommend one organic formula over another.
For a detailed store-brand organic comparison, see Earth's Best vs. Happy Baby.
| Product | Typical Price | Cost Per Oz (Prepared) | Monthly Estimate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Similac Organic (powder, 23.2 oz) | $30–$36 | ~$1.40/oz prepared | ~$160–$190/month |
| Enfamil Organic (powder, 20.5 oz) | $30–$35 | ~$1.40/oz prepared | ~$160–$190/month |
| Happy Baby Organic (for reference) | $22–$28 | ~$1.20/oz prepared | ~$130–$160/month |
| Conventional Similac/Enfamil (for reference) | $30–$38 | ~$1.10–$1.30/oz prepared | ~$140–$170/month |
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Taste, Mixing, and Practical Differences
Taste: Both organic lines taste slightly different from their conventional counterparts. Some parents report organic formulas have a slightly more "natural" or milder taste. Similac Organic and Enfamil Organic taste different from each other — babies may prefer one over the other.
Mixing: Both dissolve well. No significant practical differences.
Availability: Both are widely available at major retailers, pharmacies, and online. Neither has a meaningful availability advantage.
Packaging: Similar can sizes and formats. Pricing is competitive between the two.
If you are doing combination feeding with breast milk and formula, either organic brand works equally well.
When to Talk to Your Pediatrician
Switching between organic formulas does not require a doctor's visit for most healthy babies. However, contact your pediatrician if your baby shows signs of formula intolerance.
Signs to Discuss With Your Pediatrician
- Your baby is consistently refusing feeds or eating significantly less than expected
- Persistent vomiting (not just spit-up) after most feedings
- Blood or mucus in stools
- Significant fussiness that does not improve after 1–2 weeks on a new formula
- Poor weight gain or weight loss
- Signs of allergic reaction: hives, facial swelling, wheezing, or difficulty breathing (seek immediate care)
Most formula discomfort (mild gas, occasional spit-up) is normal and does not require a formula change. Give any new formula at least 1–2 weeks before deciding it is not working.
The Bottom Line
Similac Organic and Enfamil Organic are both good formulas. The differences between them are the same as the differences between conventional Similac and Enfamil — fat blend and proprietary additions — wrapped in an organic certification.
Choose Similac Organic if: you want the 2'-FL HMO prebiotic, you prefer a palm-olein-free fat blend, or your baby has been doing well on conventional Similac and you want to go organic.
Choose Enfamil Organic if: you want the MFGM addition, your baby has been doing well on conventional Enfamil and you want to go organic, or it is more readily available at your store.
Consider store-brand organic if: your primary goal is organic certification without the name-brand premium. Happy Baby Organic and Earth's Best Organic deliver USDA Organic at a lower price.
If you are switching formulas, tracking feeds and symptoms for 1–2 weeks gives you and your pediatrician a clear before-and-after picture. tinylog makes this easy — log feeds, diapers, and fussiness in a few taps.
Related Guides
- Enfamil vs. Similac — A complete comparison of the conventional lines
- Best Organic Formulas — All organic options ranked
- Organic vs. Conventional — Does organic formula actually matter?
- Earth's Best vs. Happy Baby — Budget organic head-to-head
Sources
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. "21 CFR Part 107 — Infant Formula." Code of Federal Regulations.
- American Academy of Pediatrics. "Choosing an Infant Formula." HealthyChildren.org, 2024.
- USDA. "National Organic Program Standards." usda.gov, 2024.
- Alarcon PA, et al. "Effect of individual fatty acids on calcium absorption in infant formulas." Food and Nutrition Research, 2017.
- Marriage BJ, et al. "Infants fed a lower calorie formula with 2'-FL show growth and 2'-FL uptake similar to breastfed infants." Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, 2015.
- Timby N, et al. "Neurodevelopment, nutrition, and growth in infants fed formula supplemented with bovine MFGM." American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2014.
This guide is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Formula recommendations should be discussed with your pediatrician, especially for babies with allergies, reflux, or other medical conditions.