Frequently Asked Questions

At Capricare®, we understand parents and healthcare professionals have many questions about our products. To help you make informed choices, we’ve compiled a list of the most frequently asked questions about our whole goat milk formula. If there is anything else you want to know, don’t hesitate to contact us.
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About Capricare® Whole Goat Milk Infant Formula
What is Capricare® Whole Goat Milk Infant Formula

Capricare® is a goat milk-based infant formula made from whole goat milk. It’s a nutritionally complete formula developed to support babies from birth, using a gentler source of dairy that’s naturally rich in essential nutrients. 

Capricare® is made by Dairy Goat Co-operative, the pioneer and world leader of goat milk infant formulas. Dairy Goat Co-operative is based in New Zealand and owned by the farmers who supply the milk. Their farms are on some of New Zealand’s richest pastures.
Why is Capricare a good formula to choose?

Capricare is made from the natural goodness of whole goat milk, that is gently made, protecting the essential nutrients.
Why is whole goat milk infant formula a better option than skim cow or goat infant formulas?

Whole goat milk has unique features that make it closer to breast milk, including:       

  1. MILK FAT 

Breast milk contains 100% milk fat and is best. Capricare® contains around 50% milk fat, making it next best as a milk fat source (especially compared to cow milk and skim goat milk-based formulas) if infant formula is needed. Whole goat milk naturally delivers beneficial compounds for baby’s growth and development inside the milk fat and even around milk fat droplets to ensure the fat is protected and can nourish your baby. 

2. PROTEIN 

Goat milk’s special protein forms a soft curd that is easier for your baby to digest. It is also naturally lower in key allergens than cow’s milk due to lower levels of a protein type that babies can be sensitive to. Capricare® is additionally lower in key allergens compared to cow and skim goat milk infant formulas because there is no added whey (which contains a key allergen that is not present in human milk). 

3. HEALTH PROMOTING NUTRIENTS 

Goat’s milk naturally contains health promoting compounds including approximately 6 times more special fibres that feed the healthy bacteria in your baby’s gut (called oligosaccharides) compared to cow's milk, and immune system building molecules (called nucleotides) not naturally present in cow's milk. 
Why does Capricare® offer Stage 1 and Stage 2 formulas?

Stage 2 is higher in several micronutrients, including vitamin D, folic acid, calcium and iron. Daily nutrient needs increase with age, and some of these increased nutrient requirements are sometimes difficult to meet as infants transition to solid foods. The levels in our Stage 2 formula have been optimized to meet additional needs. 
How does Capricare® smell and taste?

Our milk comes from well-fed goats that are raised in healthy conditions. The milk is then treated gently throughout the infant formula process. The result is a smooth and mild tasting infant formula.
How are the dosages determined for the Capricare® Stage 1 & 2 formulas?

The number of scoops per feed and feeds per day are determined based on meeting nutrient requirements for the infants' age and stage. Capricare feeding recommendations are a guide to help ensure infants receive appropriate nutrients based on scoops per feed and feed per day. 
If my baby has an allergy to cow milk, can they have goat milk? 

Due to the similar proteins in cow and goat milk, goat milk cannot be recommended to infants diagnosed with a cow milk protein allergy (CMPA). However, because the amount of allergenic protein (as1-casein) is much lower in goat milk than cow milk, with no A1typebeta-casein protein, goat milk infant formula is often perfect for those with a cow milk intolerance or hypersensitivity.
Are Capricare® formulas gluten-free?

Yes, Capricare® products are gluten-free. They are manufactured in a facility that does not handle products containing gluten, and allergens are third-party tested in accordance with regulatory standards.
How many servings are there per can? 

Each can contains 800 g of formula. One level scoop provides approximately 4.3 g. Feeding requirements vary by stage and age: Stage 1 typically uses 3–7 scoops per feed, providing approximately 27–62 servings per can, while Stage 2 uses 7 scoops per feed, providing approximately 27 servings per can.
How long has goat milk formula been around?

Goat milk infant formula was first used in New Zealand and Australia over 30 years ago. Capricare® is made by Dairy Goat Co-operative, the pioneer and inventor of goat milk infant formula.
Is Capricare® the same as Hipp or Holle Goat Milk Formula?

No, Hipp and Holle are NOT the same as Capricare®. Hipp uses skim goat milk and adds palm oil and rapeseed oil, unlike Capricare®. Holle uses whole goat milk, but adds rapeseed oil and maltodextrin.
How does Capricare® compare to goat milk formulas that can be ordered from Europe?

Capricare® is trusted by families in 36 countries, including Canada, and is available internationally under a range of established brand names. While brand names may vary by region, examples include Nannycare in the United Kingdom and Karicare in Australia and New Zealand. Capricare® is not sold under any brand name in the United States.

Using Capricare®
How to use Capricare®?

Make sure to prepare the bottle just before feeding your baby, following these steps: 

  1. Sterilize: Always wash your hands and countertops before preparing the baby’s bottle. Sterilize bottles, nipples, caps and other equipment by boiling in an open pan of water for at least 2 minutes. Boil fresh water for 2 minutes and allow to cool to room temperature. 
  2. Measure: Pour the required amount of cooled, boiled water (refer to feeding guide) into a sterilized bottle. Add the required number of level scoops of powder. 
  3. Prepare: Close the bottle. Immediately shake well until the powder is completely dissolved. 
  4. Test: Check the temperature of the preparation by sprinkling a few drops on the inside of your wrist. 
How should I transition my baby from breast milk or another formula to Capricare®?

To support a gentle transition, it’s recommended to introduce Capricare® gradually over a period of 3–7 days. Begin by replacing one scoop of your current formula with one scoop of Capricare® when preparing a bottle. After 1–2 days, replace an additional scoop with Capricare®. Continue this gradual approach until all scoops are from Capricare®.

If my baby has an allergy to cow milk, can they have goat milk? 

Due to the similar proteins in cow and goat milk, goat milk cannot be recommended to infants diagnosed with a cow milk protein allergy (CMPA). However, because the amount of allergenic protein (as1-casein) is much lower in goat milk than cow milk, with no A1typebeta-casein protein, goat milk infant formula is often perfect for those with a cow milk intolerance or hypersensitivity.
Can Capricare® be mixed with other formulas?

Formula is designed to deliver specific amounts of nutrients in each scoop. It is okay to mix formulas for a short term (3-7 days) when switching from another formula. Mixing formulas for a longer period runs the risk of making feeds over or under concentrated causing potential discomfort or an imbalance of nutrients.
What is Capricare®’s shelf life?

Capricare® whole goat milk formula has a shelf life of 36 months when stored unopened under recommended conditions. Goat milk fats can be more sensitive to oxidation, which may contribute to a stronger flavour in some goat milk products. Capricare® carefully manages milk handling through a maintained cold chain and uses gentle processing methods that rely on pressure rather than heat to help preserve quality and taste. As a result, Capricare®’s goat milk has a mild, clean flavour that is similar to cow milk.

Ingredients
What does a GMO-free infant formula mean?

A GMO-free formula is made without genetically modified organisms. This means none of the ingredients are derived from crops or animals that have been genetically altered in a lab, offering peace of mind to parents seeking more natural feeding options.
Why does Capricare® contain bovine lactose?

Lactose is the main carbohydrate found in breast milk — it’s a key source of energy for babies and helps support the growth of healthy gut bacteria and as such is required by Health Canada to be included in infant formulas. Because goat milk doesn’t naturally have enough lactose on its own to meet a baby’s needs, we add a purified lactose to bring it up to the levels required in infant formula. 

The lactose we use is derived from cow milk, which is chemically identical to human and goat milk lactose. Only the lactose (the carbohydrate) is used — all cow milk proteins and other components are removed during processing. These proteins are what typically cause allergic reactions in babies, not lactose itself, so the added lactose does not increase allergy risk.  

However, it’s important to note that due to potential cross-reactivity between proteins in cow and goat milk, goat milk formula cannot be recommended to infants with a diagnosed cow milk allergy (IgE). 
Why are probiotics not included in your formulas?

Probiotics are living bacteria that when added to food/supplements must be done so in sufficient quantities to survive transit through the gut and deliver a health benefit. In contrast, prebiotics, such as oligosaccharides, play an important role in feeding the bacteria in the gut. Whole goat milk contains naturally higher levels of oligosaccharides, a prebiotic, when compared to cow milk. Whole goat milk, such as Capricare®, has been shown to deliver health benefits, such as a greater reduction in regurgitation and easier digestion, compared to cow milk, and has been shown to have a bifidogenic effect, without the need for probiotics. 
Are vegetable oils used in the Capricare® formulas?

Capricare® uses natural whole goat milk fats as a base, which reduces the amount of added vegetable oils needed. However, to meet babies’ needs of essential fatty acids it is necessary to add some Omega-6 and Omega-3 rich vegetable oils, in our case canola and sunflower oils from non-GMO sources. The Omega-6 fatty acid LA (linoleic acid) is essential in infant formula for the necessary immune and inflammatory system development to fight infections. The Omega-3 fatty acid ALA (alpha-linolenic acid) is another essential fatty acid and is a precursor of the long-chain Omega-3 fatty acid DHA, which supports brain development.  

Canola and soy are the most abundant sources of LA. Capricare® chose canola because soy is a known allergen. Capricare® canola oil is non-GMO (canola is a rapeseed hybrid plant bred to be safer with lower levels of erucic acid & glucosinolates). Canola is also a source of omega-3 ALA. 

Capricare® has no added palm oil.
What is the difference between A1 and A2 beta-casein, and why is it important?

Milk contains a protein called beta-casein, which comes in two types: A1 and A2. Most regular cow’s milk has a mix of A1 and A2. Goat’s milk contains only A2 beta-casein; just like human breast milk.

The difference matters for digestion. A1 beta-casein may slow gut movement, giving gut bacteria more time to ferment lactose, which can lead to gas and stomach discomfort. A2 beta-casein moves through the digestive system more easily, which may help reduce these symptoms to better support gentle & easy digestion for baby.
Why is there no DHA in your formulas?

Capricare Goat Milk Infant Formula meets all current Canadian regulatory requirements for nutritional content. The carefully selected non GMO canola and sunflower oils contain both LA (linoleic acid) and ALA (alpha-linolenic acid), which are essential. Baby is able to convert the ALA into DHA upon digestion. Having said that, Capricare is also in the approval process with Health Canada to be able to include their DHA powder in the Canadian formula as well, which Capricare already uses in their formulas globally. Other DHA on the market, is in a liquid form that is dried with additives, and Capricare prefers the clean DHA powder to be used in their formulas, however this has not yet been officially approved by Health Canada. It is just a matter of time, with the aim of having approval in 2026. Another important note is that Capricare infant formula contains whole goat milk, which offers a much higher milk fat percentage (50%), compared to most formulas on the market made from skim sources (5%), and next best to breast milk which contains 100% milk fat. The naturally occurring milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) offers additional brain and cognitive benefits to baby because it is rich in phospholipids and cholesterol. Here are the references on this topic of MFGM:

  • Gallier et al. Nutrients 2020;12:3486.
  • Hernell et al. J Pediatr 2016;173S:S60-5.

Sourcing & Manufacturing
Where is Capricare® from?

Capricare® is made by Dairy Goat Co-operative, the pioneer and world leader of goat milk infant formulas. Dairy Goat Co-operative is based in New Zealand and owned by the farmers who supply the milk. Their farms are on some of New Zealand’s richest pastures.
What is a co-operative?

A co-operative is a business owned and operated by its members (in our case, the farmers), who work together for shared success. Unlike corporations, profits are reinvested into the business and shared among farmer-members. This ensures quality, integrity, and long-term sustainability over short-term profits.
How are the goats farmed?

The goats are sheltered using open-sided barns that allow exposure to natural lighting and fresh air. Space is provided to allow goats to move freely or lie down. Goats are grass-fed and given free access to their food.
Do farmers use antibiotics?

The use of all drugs, including antibiotics, is highly regulated in New Zealand where Capricare® is made. Antibiotics are used in some exceptional circumstances to treat infections. In this case all milk collected during the treatment period and several days after treatment is discarded. Milk is routinely tested at each delivery to ensure it is free from antibiotic residues.
What are Capricare® formulas tested for?

We test for heavy metals, antibiotic and mycotoxin residues, pesticides, and yeasts,moulds, and bacteria. ​We also test for foreign materials (e.g. plastic, glass, metal) and plasticizers to ensure the highest quality formula on the market.
Is Capricare® certified organic?

Capricare® is not certified organic. However, we conduct comprehensive quality testing to ensure the highest standards of safety and purity. Finished powders are tested annually, with routine testing performed on base powders for heavy metals, antibiotic and mycotoxin residues, pesticides, and microbial contaminants such as yeasts, moulds, and bacteria. Additional testing is carried out for foreign materials, including plastic, glass, and metal, as well as plasticizers, to ensure the highest quality formula on the market.