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Modilac

Roquefort-les-Pins, France·Conventional

Official site: www.modilac.com

Modilac brand hub hero
By María López Botín · Mother of 2, researching infant formula and infant nutrition since 2018

Modilac is a French pharmacy-channel infant formula brand with a distinctive product within its portfolio: Modilac Expert Riz, a rice-protein-based infant formula that occupies an unusual niche in the European market. Most infant formulas are either cow-milk, soy-protein, or specialty hydrolyzed/amino-acid products; rice- protein infant formulas are rare globally. Modilac is operated by SODILAC, a Savencia Fromage & Dairy subsidiary, and distributed primarily through French pharmacies. Not FDA-registered and not typically imported to the US.

Modilac is a French pharmacy-channel infant formula brand (SODILAC / Savencia group), founded 1960. Notable for the Modilac Expert Riz variant, one of very few rice-protein-based infant formulas in Europe. Product line also includes standard cow-milk Stage 1, 2, AR (anti-reflux), and other specialty variants. EU Regulation 2016/127 compliant. Not FDA-registered and minimal US presence. This hub documents Modilac as a French market reference point distinct from Gallia, Babybio, and Premibio.

Company snapshot

AttributeValue
Parent companySODILAC (Savencia Fromage & Dairy subsidiary)
Founded1960
Corporate HQRoquefort-les-Pins, Alpes-Maritimes, France
ManufacturingFrance
Product categoryStandard and specialty variants (Expert Riz rice-based)
OrganicNo (non-organic positioning)
FDA registeredNo
Sold by Organic's Best ShopNo
US retail presenceNone

The French market context

France has multiple distinct infant formula tiers:

BrandParentPositioning
GalliaDanoneMass-market pharmacy-channel leader
BabybioVitagermineFrench organic independent
PremibioIndependentFrench organic independent (smaller)
ModilacSODILAC (Savencia)French pharmacy-channel and rice-protein specialty
BiostimeBiostime International (Chinese-owned)Imported to France from broader European portfolio

Modilac's distinctive positioning: the rice-protein variant (Expert Riz) addresses a specific niche, families wanting non-dairy, non-soy infant formula, typically for CMPA-adjacent situations where a vegan/plant-based option is preferred.

The rice-protein niche: Modilac Expert Riz

What it is

Modilac Expert Riz uses hydrolyzed rice protein as the primary protein source instead of cow milk or soy. Other components (carbohydrate, fat, vitamins, minerals) follow standard infant formula conventions.

Why it exists

Some clinical and family-preference situations warrant avoiding both cow milk protein and soy protein:

  • Confirmed CMPA and soy allergy (~20% of CMPA infants are also soy-sensitive)
  • Religious/ethical vegan feeding preferences
  • Specific rare metabolic or allergy combinations

For these situations, rice-protein infant formula provides an alternative protein base. However, standard CMPA treatment protocols typically use extensively hydrolyzed or amino-acid formulas rather than rice-based, rice protein is less hypoallergenic than eHF/AAF and is not a first-line CMPA treatment.

Rice-based vs other specialty formulas

CategoryExample US brandsClinical use
Standard cow milkSimilac Pro-Advance, Enfamil NeuroProDefault healthy term infants
Soy proteinEnfamil ProSobee, Similac Soy IsomilGalactosemia, religious vegan
Extensively hydrolyzed (eHF)Nutramigen, AlimentumFirst-line CMPA
Amino-acid (AAF)Neocate, EleCare, PuraminoSevere CMPA, multiple allergies
Rice proteinModilac Expert Riz (FR)Niche: CMPA and soy allergy, vegan preference

parents should note: rice-protein infant formula is not FDA- registered for US retail. For US-based CMPA treatment with soy intolerance concerns, eHF or AAF under pediatric guidance is the standard approach.

For CMPA framework, see our cow milk protein allergy explained pillar.

Modilac product line

Modilac Expert 1 (standard cow milk, Stage 1)

Standard 0-6 month cow-milk infant formula. Modilac's non-specialty mainstream product.

See the SKU record: Modilac Expert Stage 1.

Modilac Expert 2

6 and month follow-on formula.

Modilac Expert Riz 1 (rice-based)

The distinctive Modilac product, rice-protein-based infant formula.

Modilac Expert AR (anti-reflux)

Thickened formula for regurgitation management. Framework: reflux and GERD pillar.

Regulatory and access

EU compliance

Modilac complies with EU Regulation 2016/127. See:

US import status

Not FDA-registered. Not imported via Organic's Best Shop or similar. French expat families may self-import but practical access is limited.

Editorial notes from María

Modilac is a reference-tier brand documented primarily for its distinctive Modilac Expert Riz rice-protein variant, a product category that doesn't exist in FDA-registered US infant formula and serves a specific niche (CMPA and soy allergy, vegan preference) in Europe.

For families with CMPA requiring non-cow-milk alternative:

  • First-line clinical standard: extensively hydrolyzed formula (Nutramigen, Alimentum, Gerber Extensive HA), eHF
  • If CMPA and soy OK: standard eHF options
  • If soy also not tolerated or vegan preference: amino-acid formula (Neocate, EleCare, Puramino): AAF
  • Rice-protein option: not FDA-registered in US, not practically accessible

Modilac is not sold by Organic's Best Shop. This hub exists for reference completeness and to document the rice-protein niche for parents researching international specialty formulas.

For related profiles:

  • Gallia: French pharmacy mass-market parallel (Danone)
  • Babybio: French organic independent
  • Premibio: French organic independent
  • Neocate / EleCare. US AAF alternatives for CMPA and soy scenarios

Frequently asked questions

What is Modilac Expert Riz and when is it used?
Modilac Expert Riz is a rice-protein-based infant formula — a rare alternative to cow-milk and soy formulas. It's used primarily for infants who cannot tolerate cow milk protein AND have soy intolerance or parental preference against soy formulas. Rice protein in infant formula is hydrolyzed to provide complete amino acid profile and is fortified to meet EU 2016/127 nutritional adequacy. Clinically, rice-based formulas are an alternative within the CMPA management hierarchy, though most pediatric guidance still positions extensively hydrolyzed (eHF) and amino acid (AAF) formulas as primary options. In the US, rice-based infant formulas are essentially unavailable; for confirmed CMPA, Nutramigen, Alimentum, EleCare, Neocate, or PurAmino are the FDA-registered options.
Can I buy Modilac in the US?
No, not via mainstream retail. Modilac is not FDA-registered and is not part of FDA enforcement discretion arrangements. The brand is distributed primarily through French pharmacies. US-facing import resellers don't carry Modilac. For US families seeking rice-protein options, the closest available alternatives are AAF formulas (EleCare, Neocate, PurAmino), which avoid both cow milk protein and soy through synthesized amino acids rather than rice protein.
How does Modilac compare to Gallia and Babybio?
All three are French market infant formula brands with different positioning. Gallia is Danone/Nutricia's mass-market pharmacy-channel French brand. Babybio is the French independent organic alternative. Modilac is the SODILAC/Savencia French pharmacy-channel brand with the distinctive rice-protein variant. For typical mass-market needs, Gallia is the dominant choice in French pharmacies; for organic preferences, Babybio; for the rare cow-milk-and-soy-avoidant case, Modilac Expert Riz is the niche option.
Is Modilac organic?
Modilac's main lines are conventional (non-organic). The brand positions on pharmacy-channel medical-adjacent specialty rather than organic certification. French families wanting organic infant formula choose Babybio, Premibio, or imported HiPP/Holle.
Is rice-protein infant formula safe for newborns?
Modilac Expert Riz and similar rice-protein infant formulas are formulated to meet EU 2016/127 infant formula nutritional adequacy requirements, including all essential amino acids, fats, vitamins, and minerals. The protein is hydrolyzed rice protein, supplemented to ensure amino acid completeness. EFSA scientific opinions support rice-based infant formula safety when properly fortified. Clinical use is typically guided by a pediatric specialist for confirmed CMPA + soy avoidance scenarios. For routine healthy infant feeding, cow-milk-based formula remains the broader default.
Why are rice-based formulas more common in Europe than the US?
European infant formula regulation (EFSA, EU 2016/127) explicitly permits rice protein as an alternative protein source for infant formula, with specific composition requirements. FDA 21 CFR 107 historically focused on cow milk and soy as the standard protein sources, with extensive amino acid formulas serving the avoidance niche. This regulatory difference, combined with European pharmacy-channel acceptance of specialty alternatives like Modilac Expert Riz, made rice-based formulas more visible in European markets. The US specialty CMPA market relies more heavily on AAF (EleCare, Neocate, PurAmino) instead.

Primary sources

  1. Modilac / SODILAC: Official French corporate and product information. modilac.com
  2. Savencia Fromage & Dairy: Parent group corporate. savencia-fromagedairy.com
  3. EU Regulation 2016/127: Infant formula compositional requirements. eur-lex.europa.eu
  4. FDA: Infant formula regulation. fda.gov
  5. WHO: International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes. who.int
  6. AAP / PubMed, peer-reviewed literature on rice-protein vs cow-milk and soy-based infant formulas. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

This site provides research and comparisons, not medical advice. Consult your pediatrician before changing your baby's formula.

All Modilac formulas

1 tracked SKU

This site provides research and comparisons, not medical advice. Consult your pediatrician before changing your baby's formula.