June 15, 2023

Kendamil UK vs. Kendamil US Differences

52 hours of research 9 minute read

"Kendamil UK and Kendamil US offer premium infant formulas, each tailored to meet the unique nutritional needs and preferences of their respective markets, resulting in slight differences between them."

Recently, Kendamil has been locally available and can be purchased from the following stores: Target, Kroger, and Walmart.

This led to a spike in inquiries. These are the common questions that we receive from parents:

Is there any difference between the Kendamil formula sold in US stores and the Kendamil formula they order from us?
Why is my baby not agreeing with the Kendamil formula that I purchased locally?
Is your Kendamil formula better than the Kendamil formula in US stores?

In this blog article, we're going to answer these questions and help you understand the distinctions between the original Kendamil UK formulation and the version you find in US stores. We want to make sure every parent has the information they need to make the best choices for their little ones. So let's get into it and explore what makes Kendamil UK different from Kendamil US!

Is There Any Difference? Are the UK and US versions of Kendamil the same?

We compared the formulas for you to help with your research. While both formulas share some similarities, the Kendamil formulas shipped from the UK are not identical to the Kendamil formulas distributed in the US.

In general, these are the similarities and differences of all Kendamil formulas. We will discuss these in detail in the next parts of the blog.

SIMILARITIES	DIFFERENCES
Whole Milk	Nutritional Standards
Vegetarian	Stages
European-Made	Nutrients
Ingredients	Location of Farms

Kendamil US & UK Similarities

First, let's take a closer look at the similarities between Kendamil UK formulas and their US versions. Here, we'll break down the key aspects they both share.

Whole Milk

Both Kendamil UK and Kendamil US use the finest quality whole milk as their main ingredient and primary source of fat. Beyond serving as the principal ingredient, whole milk contributes to the creamy texture of the formulas while intentionally decreasing the dependence on vegetable oils. This strategic decision eliminates the need for the controversial Palm Oil.

Additionally, using whole milk means Kendamil naturally provides the Milk Fat Globule Membrane (MFGM), a crucial component found in breast milk associated with numerous health benefits. This naturally occurring feature, linked to advantages for immune function and cognitive development in infants, adds a significant aspect to the nutritional profile of Kendamil formulas. These reasons collectively make Kendamil a suitable choice for parents seeking optimal nutrition and development support for their little ones.

Vegetarian

Kendamil wears its vegetarian badge proudly in both the UK and the US formulations. One thing that makes Kendamil stand out is its deliberate decision to source DHA, an essential fatty acid crucial for infant development, from sustainably farmed marine algae. This mindful choice sets Kendamil apart from other formulas on the market that frequently use fish oils, aligning the brand with a commitment to responsible and ethical sourcing practices.

European-Made

Let's clear up a common misconception – both Kendamil UK and Kendamil US are manufactured in the EU. A lot of customers think that the Kendamil formulas distributed in the US are made locally, but the reality is that while they've made their way to the US market, their production roots remain firmly in the EU. This ensures that Kendamil continues to uphold its dedication to strict European quality standards, reflecting its commitment to maintaining excellence in infant nutrition on a global scale.

Ingredients

When examining the labels on Kendamil UK and Kendamil US cans, you'll find similar ingredients. To provide a direct comparison of the ingredients listed on the packaging, we've included photos of the cans in the following section of the blog. It's important to mention that the official Kendamil website doesn't display these specific images of the cans with the ingredient lists at this time. The photos of Kendamil UK you’ll see feature the most recent packaging and were taken at Organic Life Start’s warehouse, while the images of Kendamil USA were personally sourced from Target.

Kendamil US & UK Differences

Now, let's look into the distinctions between Kendamil formulas in the UK and the US.

Many parents have voiced their concerns and confusion regarding the matter. Some have shared statements indicating that Kendamil US claims that Kendamil formulas distributed in the US are made using the exact same recipe, in the exact same batches as the UK product, differing only in the canning stage, where the formulas go into different cans.

However, as part of our due diligence, we conducted our own examination that brought to light clear variations when comparing the formulas. Here are the observed differences:

Nutritional Standards

Kendamil USA and Kendamil UK adhere to distinct nutritional standards based on the country of distribution. Kendamil USA is formulated to meet the nutritional standards for US infant formula, complying with specific regulations and guidelines set for infant nutrition in the United States.

In contrast, Kendamil UK follows a UK-specific recipe and has been formulated to meet the nutritional standards established in the UK.

The varied nutritional standards demonstrate Kendamil's effort to address the specific needs and preferences of parents and babies in each region. They tailor their products in accordance with the rules and guidelines of the country where the product is distributed.

Stages

In relation to the Nutritional Standards, one of the most noticeable differences between Kendamil UK and Kendamil US are the stages of formula.

Kendamil UK comes in 3 stages:

On the other hand, Kendamil US formulas come in 2 stages.

Infant Formulas are designed for babies who are from 0-12 months.
Toddler Formulas are designed for 12-36 months

The stages in Kendamil UK are carefully crafted to align with the unique nutritional needs of infants at various ages. For additional context, the nutrient dosage for a newborn is different from that of a larger baby -- this is why Kendamil UK has 2 different stages for babies who are 0-12 months old.

Since the stages are created for the specific nutritional requirements of babies, this means that there is a difference between the nutritional dosage of Kendamil UK and Kendamil US.

Nutritional Dosage

The presentation of nutrition information also varies between Kendamil UK and Kendamil US. While Kendamil UK displays nutritional information per 100g, Kendamil US presents it per 100 calories. This variance in presentation may impact how parents interpret and measure the nutritional content of the formulas.

Location of Farms

Looking at where the whole milk comes from shows another difference between Kendamil UK and Kendamil US. The choice of farm locations can affect things like how the farms operate, the quality of the milk, and the overall standards of production.

Kendamil UK takes pride in partnering with local British farms for the milk used in production. For Kendamil Organic (UK), they work exclusively with 25 chosen British farms, ensuring high-quality organic milk. This collaboration emphasizes their focus on local and strict organic farming methods.

Kendamil US, on the other hand, partners with European family farms for their milk. Similarly, Kendamil Organic (US) also partners with European organic farms.

Side-by-Side Comparison

We recognize your interest in understanding the distinctions, so for your convenience, we've prepared a detailed comparison that includes side-by-side photos of the formulas. These images showcase key information such as ingredients, stage + age range, and nutritional dosage for the following Kendamil products:

By visually presenting these aspects, we aim to provide a comprehensive and transparent view of the differences between the various Kendamil formulas, assisting you in making informed decisions for your little one.

Kendamil Organic Stage 1

Kendamil Organic formula, certified by the EU and British Soil Association, distinguishes itself as one of the most sought-after and highly acclaimed organic infant formulas, proudly produced by a family-run operation in the United Kingdom. Crafted with care, this formula uses EU-certified organic whole cow's milk as its nutritious foundation. Kendamil Organic features a natural fat source called Milk Fat Globule Membrane (MFGM), akin to that found in breast milk, believed to enhance early infant cognitive development.

Ingredients - Similar

✅ The ingredients in Kendamil Organic (UK) Stage 1 and Kendamil Organic (US) Infant Formula are similar, ensuring consistency and quality in both formulations.

Kendamil Organic (UK) Stage 1

Kendamil Organic (US) Infant Formula

Stage or Age Range - Different

❌ Kendamil Organic (UK) Stage 1: Designed for babies aged 0-6 months.

❌ Kendamil Organic (US) Infant Formula: Tailored for babies aged 0-12 months.

Kendamil Organic (UK) Stage 1

Kendamil Organic (US) Infant Formula

Nutritional Dosage - Different

Compared to Kendamil Organic (US) Infant Formula, Kendamil Organic (UK) Stage 1 has:

❌ Slightly higher fat content

❌ Higher carbohydrates/lactose content

❌ Slightly lower protein content

Kendamil Organic (UK) Stage 1

Kendamil Organic (US) Infant Formula

Per 5 oz:

Nutrition	Kendamil Organic UK Stage 1	Kendamil Organic US Infant Formula
Fat	5.38 g	5.30 g
Carbohydrates	10.77 g	10.50 g
Protein	2.15 g	2.20 g