Nara Organics has launched what it describes as the first FDA-registered and USDA-certified organic whole milk infant formula developed to meet both European and U.S. safety standards. The company has raised $32 million from investors including AlleyCorp, Torch Capital, Corazon Ventures, BBG Ventures, and Gingerbread Capital. Notable individual investors include Serena Williams, Mindy Grossman, and Gina Rodriguez, alongside advisors Nicky Hilton, Erin and Sara Foster, Keleigh Teller, and Karla Souza. The formula is manufactured in Germany and contains no skim milk, palm oil, soy, corn syrup, maltodextrin, or GMOs.
Founder and CEO Esther Hallam developed the product after struggling to find organic formula options for her own daughter. The company spent seven years in research and development to create the formula, which completed a large-scale, double-blinded clinical trial with infants to demonstrate safety and efficacy.
“Just like so many, breastfeeding didn’t exactly go to plan,” said Hallam. “In a panic, I searched for an organic formula to feed my baby and couldn’t find a single option that I felt good feeding my daughter. Even the ‘organic’ choices had ingredients like sugar, corn syrup, palm oil, and soy.”
The formula includes naturally occurring MFGM, European-required levels of DHA for brain development, and prebiotics for gut health and immunity. Nara says to have the highest percentage of milk fat of any formula sold in the United States, using whole milk rather than skim milk like most formulas on the market.
The company’s scientific advisory team includes board-certified pediatricians Dr. Jessica Acker, Dr. Jessica Hippolyte, and Dr. Payal Adhikari, OB/GYNs Dr. Rachel Bervell and Dr. Latisha Moreta, pediatric nutritionist Nicole Silber, and neonatal nurse Cara Dumaplin.
The company previously built a community of over 1 million parents through the Nara Baby + Mom Tracker app. At launch, Nara formula is available at nara.com for $36 per two-can starter bundle, with plans to expand to retailers.
