We asked an infant formula safety expert to answer parent questions about the commercial sterility of our new ready-to-feed formula made with whole milk.
| OCT. 1, 2026 | 5 MINUTE READ |
Choosing an infant formula is an important decision. Parents want confidence that the formula they choose provides complete nutrition while meeting the highest standards for quality and safety.
Today, families have more options than ever, including formulas made with whole milk. Understanding how infant formula is manufactured can help families make informed feeding decisions.
In the United States, all infant formulas must meet rigorous nutritional and quality requirements established by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Whether powdered or ready-to-feed, infant formulas are carefully designed to support healthy growth and development.
For parents interested in ready-to-feed formula, understanding how different formulas are made can provide additional confidence when selecting the feeding option that best fits their family’s needs.
Both powdered and ready-to-feed liquid infant formulas provide complete nutrition and meet FDA standards. The key difference is how they are manufactured.
Powdered formula is produced under strict quality controls but is not commercially sterile because it is a dry product. It is safe when prepared and handled according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Ready-to-feed liquid infant formula undergoes an additional validated heat treatment step that creates a commercially sterile product. This provides parents with built-in safety, while also offering the convenience of no mixing or measuring.
The choice between powdered vs. liquid infant formula often comes down to a family’s individual needs, lifestyle and preferences.
The term commercial sterility may sound technical, but the concept is straightforward. In food manufacturing, commercial sterility refers to a validated process designed to eliminate potentially harmful microorganisms that could grow during normal storage and distribution. As a result, the product remains commercially sterile and shelf stable until opened.
For ready-to-feed formula, achieving commercial sterility involves a carefully controlled heat treatment step during manufacturing. While heat is used during this process, it does not compromise the nutritional value when compared with the same product in powdered form. Rather, commercial sterility represents an additional manufacturing step that helps further enhance product safety.
Infants have developing immune systems, which is why ready-to-feed formula is often recommended for babies under 2 months of age. Ready-to-feed formulas are commercial sterile, meaning they undergo results from an added manufacturing safety step, helping to eliminate harmful microorganisms. We launched Similac® 360 Total Care Made With Whole Milk in a liquid format to provide complete nutrition for babies and give parents the added convenience and inherent safety of a ready-to-feed product. Below, our medical safety expert answers common questions about the inherent safety that comes from commercially sterile production and the ready-to-feed launch of Similac® 360 Total Care Made With Whole Milk.
1. Has Abbott always had liquid formula?
No, but Abbott has been offering liquid infant formula for decades. In 1951, Abbott introduced Similac infant formula concentrate, a liquid formula that required dilution with water. In 1999, Similac introduced a bottled ready-to-feed formula that required no mixing. Today, many Similac formulas are available in both liquid and powder formats, giving parents flexibility based on their family's needs and preferences.
2. What role do ready-to-feed formulas play in infant feeding?
Due to their commercial sterility, ready-to-feed liquid infant formulas have been recommended for infants under two months of age and those with weakened immune systems. For this reason, babies in the hospital who receive formula are given commercially sterile bottles of ready-to-feed formula along with a sterile single-use nipple. Additionally, some parents appreciate the added convenience and shelf stability of ready-to-feed products, which can be helpful for on-the-go or late-night feedings.
3. Are powdered infant formulas safe?
Yes. Parents can continue using Similac powdered infant formulas with confidence, knowing that we design our manufacturing processes to help prevent the presence and growth of potentially harmful bacteria across both liquid and powder formula production. All of Abbott’s powdered infant formulas are manufactured under rigorous quality and safety controls and meet or exceed industry regulations for infant formula testing.
4. Does commercial sterility impact nutritional value?
No, choosing a ready-to-feed formula does not mean compromising nutrition. The nutritional quality of all Abbott’s ready-to-feed liquid infant formulas are maintained throughout the heat treatment process.
5. Is ready-to-feed formula more expensive than powdered formula?
Typically, yes, ready-to-feed formula is typically more expensive per serving than the same product in powdered format. Abbott recognizes that families want infant feeding options that balance choice, convenience, and the built-in safety that comes with commercial sterility. That’s why Abbott is offering Similac 360 Total Care Made With Whole Milk (8-ounce and 32-ounce containers) at a per-feeding cost comparable to Similac 360 Total Care powder. In addition, the formula is manufactured in the United States to help support a reliable domestic supply.
Choosing an infant formula is a personal decision, and there is no single feeding option that is right for every family. Both powdered and ready-to-feed formulas provide complete nutrition and are manufactured to meet FDA requirements.
For families interested in formula made with whole milk, the ready-to-feed format offers convenience and the built-in safety of commercial sterility.
Parents who have questions about which infant feeding option is best for their baby should consult their pediatrician. Together, you can choose a formula that meets your baby’s nutritional needs and fits your family’s preferences and lifestyles.
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