Is Similac 360 Total Care Sensitive Vegan?

The Ingredient Breakdown

As a food scientist looking at the label of Similac 360 Total Care Sensitive, the verdict is clear: this is a dairy-based product. The primary flag for vegans is the presence of Milk Protein Isolate. This is a concentrated form of protein derived directly from cow's milk. It provides the essential amino acids necessary for growth, but it is unequivocally an animal product. Even though this formula is marketed as "Sensitive," which usually refers to the removal of lactose or whole milk, the protein source remains dairy.

Another critical ingredient that excludes this product from a vegan diet is Vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol). In the vast majority of fortified foods and supplements, Vitamin D3 is sourced from lanolin, which is the waxy substance extracted from sheep's wool. While there are vegan sources of D3 available (usually derived from lichen), they are significantly more expensive and are rarely used in mass-market infant formulas due to stability and cost constraints. Therefore, the Vitamin D3 in Similac is almost certainly animal-derived.

Finally, the formula contains Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMOs). While the specific HMOs listed (like 2'-Fucosyllactose) are often produced via fermentation processes using non-animal ingredients, the complexity of the supply chain means they are part of a product that is fundamentally built around dairy proteins. For strict vegans, the presence of Milk in the allergen statement is the ultimate dealbreaker.

Nutritional Value

From a nutritional standpoint, Similac 360 Total Care Sensitive is a calorie-dense formula designed to mimic the energy density of breast milk. It contains approximately 20 calories per fluid ounce, which is standard for infant nutrition. The carbohydrate source is primarily Corn Syrup and Sugar, which might raise eyebrows for parents looking to avoid added sugars. However, in infant formula, these are necessary to match the lactose content found in breast milk and provide rapid energy for brain development.

The fat profile is actually quite sophisticated, utilizing a blend of High Oleic Safflower Oil, Soy Oil, and Coconut Oil. This mixture is engineered to provide the right ratio of oleic acid and medium-chain triglycerides. It also includes Schizochytrium Sp. Oil and M. Alpina Oil, which are algal and fungal sources of DHA and ARA—fatty acids crucial for eye and brain health. While not vegan, the nutritional composition is robust and meets the FDA requirements for infant formula.