Infant formula prices have rocketed by as much as 45% in the mults since the start of 2026, amid hampered availability following subsequent recalls from Nestlé and Danone.
Out of 310 like-for-like SKUs available across the traditional big four, 157 have risen in price by an average of 9.4%, 146 prices are unchanged, and seven have decreased, The Grocer can reveal [Assosia pre-promotional prices 1 January 2026 vs 2 March 2026].
Danone’s Aptamil and Cow & Gate brands account for the vast majority (84.1%) of the price increases, with 132 SKUs costing more than they did in January. For instance, Aptamil Advanced 2 Follow On Milk 6-12 Months 200ml is up 45.4%, from £1.08 to £1.57, in Asda.
Cow & Gate 3 Toddler Milk from 1 Year 200ml is up 22.2%, from 90p to £1.10, in Sainsbury’s; and Cow & Gate 1 First Infant Baby Milk Formula Powder from Birth 800g is up 18.3%, from £9.30 to £11, in Tesco.
Cost pressures
A spokeswoman for Danone North Europe said the manufacturer was “committed to working closely with retailers to support parents and carers and offer a broad range of products and formats at varying price points”.
“Our pricing decisions reflect inflationary pressures on costs across our supply chain, including ingredients, production, storage and transportation,” she added.
Increasing prices was “never easy, and in recent years we have absorbed these costs wherever possible”, the spokeswoman stressed, adding that prices were “set independently by each retailer”.
Andrea Martinez-Inchausti, assistant director of food at the BRC, said infant formula prices had been impacted “by ongoing cost pressures across the supply chain, including higher packaging, labour and ingredient costs”.
“Despite these wider market conditions putting pressure on costs, retailers continue to work hard to offer the best value they can.”
Sainsbury’s advised it was committed to keeping prices as competitive as possible, while Morrisons and Tesco declined to comment. Asda had not responded to requests by the time of writing.
Healthy Start
First Steps Nutrition Trust pointed out that most 800g first infant formulas listed by the traditional big four cost more than the weekly NHS Healthy Start allowance for families on low incomes, which is £8.50 for babies under one.
At the time of writing, only Bonya First Infant Milk 800g, priced at £7.50 in Morrisons, and £8.45 in Tesco and Sainsbury’s, came in under budget.
“Recent infant formula price rises by the big-brand formula companies and some retailers are unbelievable, especially given the recent recalls of toxin-tainted products,” said Vicky Sibson, director at First Steps Nutrition Trust.
“Many low-income families who use formula to feed their babies simply cannot afford it and the struggle to feed their babies is damaging the wellbeing of mothers and babies.
“The government urgently needs to implement price controls, properly rein in company marketing and take measures to improve infant formula safety,” Sibson added.
Formula recalls
Frustrated parents used X last month to complain they were struggling to find their preferred formula following recalls by Nestlé and Danone of specific batches over fears of cereulide toxin contamination.
Indeed, The Grocer’s analysis showed more than a quarter of SKUs (28.4%) were out of stock in the traditional big four at the time the complaints were posted.
Last month, the UK Health Security Agency said it had been made aware of 36 cases of children developing symptoms consistent with cereulide toxin poisoning across the UK, after consuming baby formula from the affected batches.
Meanwhile, the French health authorities are aware of three reports of infant deaths relating to children who had consumed formula products impacted by the recalls.
To date, no causal link has been scientifically established between the contaminated formulas and infant deaths.
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