Infant formula, MEAD JOHNSON, ENFAMIL, NUTRAMIGEN, PurAmino, powder, not reconstituted
Whole food · Baby Foods
Photo: Wikipedia
This is a specialized, amino acid-based infant formula powder designed for infants with severe cow's milk protein allergy or multiple food protein intolerances. It has a fine, slightly gritty texture and a notably bitter, medicinal taste due to its free amino acid composition, which lacks the sweet, milky flavor of standard formulas. Nutritionally, it is a complete, high-calorie (512 kcal/100g) medical food, densely packed with protein (13.9g) and fats (26g) to support growth when standard formulas are not tolerated.
Calorie split: 11% protein · 43% carbs · 46% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
Parents and caregivers rely on it as a life-changing, safe nutritional source that allows their allergic infants to thrive and gain weight when other formulas fail. Its specialized formulation provides critical peace of mind in managing severe dietary restrictions.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The taste is often described as bitter or unpalatable, which can lead to feeding refusal in some infants. It is an extremely expensive medical formula, often not fully covered by insurance, creating a significant financial burden for families. Concrete tip: Consult with a pediatrician or dietitian about gradual taste acclimation strategies and explore potential insurance coverage or patient assistance programs from the manufacturer.
Key benefits
- Provides complete nutrition for infants with severe protein allergies.
- Uses free amino acids instead of intact proteins to prevent allergic reactions.
- High in calories and essential fats for growth and brain development.
- Formulated to be hypoallergenic and easily digestible.
- Fortified with essential vitamins and minerals for infant development.
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The 'PurAmino' name reflects its core science: it contains 100% of its protein as individual amino acids, the absolute simplest form of protein a human can consume.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 1.8 g |
| Energy | 512 kcal |
| Energy | 2144 kj |
| Protein | 13.9 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 26.0 g |
| Ash | 2.6 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 55.7 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.00 g |
| Total Sugars | 7.6 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 470 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 9.0 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 55.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 260 mg |
| Potassium, K | 550 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 230 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 5.0 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.37 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.12 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 13.9 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 60.0 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.40 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.45 mg |
| Niacin | 5.0 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 2.5 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.30 mg |
| Folate, total | 80.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 80.0 ug |
| Folate, food | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 136 ug |
| Choline, total | 119 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 1.5 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 1.5 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 450 ug |
| Retinol | 450 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 1500 iu |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 4.5 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 4.5 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3), International Units | 250 iu |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 6.2 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 45.0 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 10.3 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 6.0 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 2.3 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.03 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 1.2 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.62 g |
| SFA 20:0 | 0.06 g |
| SFA 22:0 | 0.10 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 8.8 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 8.8 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.04 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 5.5 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 4.3 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.40 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.17 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.09 g |
| Cholesterol | 0.00 mg |
FAQ
Why does this formula taste so different?
It contains free amino acids instead of proteins or peptides. Amino acids like leucine and isoleucine have a naturally bitter taste, which is why the formula has a distinct, often challenging flavor profile compared to standard sweet formulas.
Can this formula be used for baking?
While not its intended use, some caregivers on strict elimination diets may use it as a protein powder in recipes like pancakes or muffins. However, its bitter taste and high cost make it impractical for general cooking. Always consult a dietitian before using a medical formula off-label.
How is this different from regular hypoallergenic formula?
Regular hypoallergenic (HA) formulas use extensively hydrolyzed proteins—proteins broken into very small pieces. PurAmino goes a step further by using only individual amino acids, making it suitable for the most severe cases where even hydrolyzed proteins may trigger a reaction.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 5.12 kcal/g · 11% calories from protein · 0.0 g fiber · 7.6 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 0.42 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.