Christina Szalinski

Nearly half of U.S. infant formula contain corn sugars. Mounting evidence suggests it may not be the best for babies.

LL MAMMALS, INCLUDING HUMANS, make milk with carbohydrates in the same unique form: lactose, a sugar that is a fusion of two other sugars called galactose and glucose. While scientists don’t know why all mammary glands arrange sugars this way, many believe that it’s important for babies. And growing evidence suggests that lactose substitutes in infant formula, such as corn syrup solids, may have health consequences, though the research comes with caveats and experts caution against swapping formulas amid a lingering shortage.