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Are Aptamil Pepti 1 & 2 Halal? What Parents Need to Know (2025 Update)
- Admin
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
By The Test Clinic — UK Experts in Baby & Toddler Intolerance Testing
Introduction
If your baby has been diagnosed with a cow’s milk allergy or suspected intolerance, chances are your GP or health visitor has recommended Aptamil Pepti 1.
It’s one of the most commonly prescribed formulas in the UK for babies with milk-related feeding issues.
But here’s a question many parents — especially Muslim and Jewish families — are now asking:
Is the Aptamil Pepti Range Halal and Kosher?
And the answer is:
❌ No, Aptamil Pepti 1, 2 and 3 are not halal or kosher certified.
And for most families following halal/kosher dietary rules, it is not considered permissible due to how it is produced. Let’s break down exactly why.
🧪 Why Aptamil Pepti 1 Is Not Halal
Aptamil Pepti 1 is a partially hydrolysed formula, meaning the cow’s milk proteins are broken down into smaller fragments. This is done using enzymes.
The issue:
👉 These enzymes are often porcine-derived (from pork). This is a standard method in the manufacture of hydrolysed milk formulas. Because pork (and pork derivatives) are not halal or kosher, any product that uses porcine enzymes in its production cannot be certified halal — even if no pork remains in the final product.
✔ Aptamil themselves have confirmed
Aptamil (Danone) has publicly stated that Pepti formulas are NOT halal, due to the enzymes used in their hydrolysis process.
🍼 Why This Matters
Many parents assume that if their GP prescribes it, it must be suitable for all dietary needs. Unfortunately, most NHS professionals:
do not know which formulas are halal
do not check production methods
are not trained to consider religious dietary requirements in formula prescriptions
So parents often find out after weeks or months that their baby has been consuming a product that conflicts with their beliefs. This can be extremely distressing.
At The Test Clinic, we hear versions of this story every single week.
Okay, So Is Aptamil Pepti 1 'Milk-Free'?
❌No.This is another common misconception.
Even though it is prescribed for milk-related issues:
❌ Aptamil Pepti 1 still contains cow’s milk
❌ It is not milk-free
❌ It is not suitable for many babies with non-IgE milk intolerance
Symptoms often continue because the baby may also be reacting to:
sunflower oil
rapeseed oil
coconut oil
soya
fish oil
These ingredients appear frequently in our Baby & Toddler Intolerance Test results.
Halal-Friendly Alternatives?
Here’s the honest truth:
There are very few halal-certified or halal-friendly formulas on the UK market
Most hydrolysed and hypoallergenic formulas use porcine enzymes
Even amino acid formulas (like Neocate) may still contain common trigger oils
This is exactly why we created:
The UK’s first Baby Formula Ingredient & Allergen Guide (2025)
We created the UK’s first full baby formula ingredient comparison resource because parents need a clear, honest breakdown of what each formula contains.
You can download it here:
✔ Free 2-Page Quick Guide
Snapshot of top UK formulas + major allergens.
👉 Download the Free Guide
✔ Full 15-Page Guide (£6.99)
40+ formulas, halal/kosher info, allergen explanations, and a printable worksheet.
👉 Get the Full Guide
What If Your Baby Is Still Reacting to Pepti?
This is very common. At The Test Clinic, we regularly see babies who:
were prescribed Pepti 1 or Pepti 2
had no improvement
continued to have reflux, eczema, mucus in stools, or discomfort
Because hydrolysed milk is still milk, and because the formula contains other trigger ingredients, symptoms often persist.
Our Baby & Toddler Intolerance Test can help identify exactly which ingredients your baby is sensitive to.
👉 Book a Baby & Toddler Test (order online or visit one of our Clinics)
✔ Key Points to Remember:
❌ Aptamil Pepti 1 is not halal
❌ It is not milk-free
✔ It may help some babies, but many continue to react
✔ Its production process involves porcine-derived enzymes
✔ Ingredients like sunflower, rapeseed, coconut, soy, and fish may also cause reactions
✔ Halal-friendly options are limited — parents need clearer info
📘 Before You Buy Another Formula…
Be sure to download the FREE 2 Page Summary Guide (2025)
👉 Download the Free Guide
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