Kendamil UK is made by Kendal Nutricare in Kendal, at the edge of England's Lake District. The McMahon family owns and runs it, and its whole approach rests on one decision: keep the natural fat of whole milk in the recipe, rather than relying on vegetable oils alone.
We sell the UK version, made for the UK market, and ship it from our UK warehouse to the US in 2 to 4 business days. Shop Kendamil UK.
- Home: Kendal, Cumbria, England
- Owners: the McMahon family
- Heritage: the Kendal factory has made infant products since 1962
- Milk: whole milk from grass-fed cows and goats
- Recognition: Queen's Award for Enterprise, 2020
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A factory saved, a family brand built
Infant products have been made in Kendal since 1962. In 2015, the factory was about to close when Ross McMahon bought it from Heinz, keeping the jobs in the town. He set out to build a British baby milk brand of his own, and the brand we now know as Kendamil UK was born.
The brand started small, as a new name on the shelves of Tesco, and grew from there into thousands of stores. Ross runs the business with his sons Will and Dylan, and other family members work across the factory and customer service. He received an honorary MBE in 2023, and the company won the Queen's Award for Enterprise in 2020.
How Kendamil UK is made
Everything starts with fresh milk from grass-fed cows and goats. Its factories in Kendal and in Europe take in more than a million liters a month, and the Kendal factory works with British family dairy farmers. Some cans carry Red Tractor, a British farm standard that covers animal welfare, and the Organic line comes from certified organic farms.
The recipes are developed in Kendal by a research team with decades of experience. Many cans are made in the Kendal factory itself, others at partner facilities in the EU, and the oval mark on every can shows which.
The philosophy: whole milk, no shortcuts
Many baby formulas start from skimmed milk, with the fat replaced by vegetable oils, often including palm oil. Kendal Nutricare asked a different question: what would you make if you did not have to compromise? Their answer was whole milk.
Why parents love Kendamil UK
- Whole milk fat with MFGM: keeping the milk fat brings MFGM with it, a natural part of the milk fat, also found in breast milk, that supports your baby's brain development.
- No palm oil, no fish oil: DHA comes from algae, so the whole range is vegetarian.
- Clear and in English: three simple UK stages, plus Comfort for all ages, with every word on the can in English.
- A choice for every tummy: organic, classic, goat milk and a comfort formula for colic and constipation.
- Family scale, British roots: an independent family company working with British dairy farmers.
A British family brand in a global market
Most baby milk sold in the UK comes from large international groups. Kendal Nutricare is independent and family-owned, and it calls itself the only British baby milk company. In a market of global names, that makes it the home-grown choice for many British parents.
UK formula follows the same strict compositional rules as the EU, built on advice from the European Food Safety Authority and kept after Brexit. UK law also does not allow infant formula to be advertised to parents.
Kendamil UK versus the Kendamil sold in US stores.
The Kendamil you find on US shelves is not the same product as the Kendamil UK we sell. We sell the UK version, made for the UK market and sold to British parents.
- Where it is made: Kendamil UK comes from the family's Kendal factory or partner facilities in the EU, as the oval mark on the can shows. Kendamil describes its US range as European-made, and its Canadian formulas are moving to a Made in France label.
- The recipe: for permanent US approval, Kendamil changed the US recipes, with different calcium sources, a different form of vitamin C, and different preparation steps.
- The stages: Kendamil UK comes in three UK stages. The US range is sold as an infant formula from birth to 12 months plus toddler drinks.
Fun facts about Kendamil UK
- Milk to can in about ten hours: that is how long it takes from the moment fresh milk arrives at the factory to finished formula in the can.
- A farmer at heart: Ross McMahon trained in agricultural science before he bought a baby milk factory.
- Award-winning goat milk: Kendamil UK Goat carries the Mother & Baby Gold Award on its cans.
- A town of famous energy: Kendal is also home to Kendal Mint Cake, which went up Everest with the 1953 expedition.
The Kendamil UK range
Organic
Certified organic milk from grass-fed cows, with GOS prebiotics. Stage 1, Stage 2, Stage 3.
Classic
The original award-winning whole milk recipe, with GOS and FOS prebiotics. Not a lesser version of Organic, simply a different recipe without the organic seal. Stage 1, Stage 2, Stage 3.
Goat
Whole goat milk and goat whey, naturally rich in A2 protein. Stage 1, Stage 2, Stage 3, or see all Kendamil UK goat formula.
Comfort
A specialty formula from birth for colic and constipation, with reduced lactose and partially broken-down whey. Please consult with your pediatrician in this case. Shop Kendamil UK Comfort.
Stage 1 is from birth, Stage 2 from 6 months, and Stage 3 from 12 months. Not sure which fits? Try our Formula Finder.
Kendamil UK FAQ
Who makes Kendamil UK baby formula?
Kendal Nutricare, owned and run by the McMahon family in Kendal, Cumbria.
Is Kendamil UK the same as the Kendamil sold in US stores?
No. We sell Kendamil UK, the version made for the UK market. The US version has a recipe adjusted for US rules and different stages, and Kendamil describes it as European-made.
What is the difference between Kendamil UK Organic and Classic?
They are two different recipes, not a better and a lesser version. Organic is certified organic and uses GOS. Classic is the original whole milk recipe and uses GOS and FOS.
Is Kendamil UK vegetarian and free from palm oil?
Yes to both. The DHA comes from algae, and there is no palm oil anywhere in the range. Organic, Classic and Goat use milk fat with sunflower, coconut and rapeseed oil.
Where is Kendamil UK made?
At the family's factory in Kendal and at partner facilities in the EU. The oval mark on each can shows where: GB KL020 is the Kendal factory.
Does Kendamil UK contain probiotics?
No, it carries prebiotics only. For prebiotics plus a probiotic, look at HiPP COMBIOTIK.
Is Kendamil UK Goat suitable for a milk allergy?
No. Goat milk still contains milk proteins, so it is not suitable for a confirmed cow's milk protein allergy. Please consult with your pediatrician in this case.
Where can I buy Kendamil UK in the US?
At Organic Formula Shop. We ship the UK version from our UK warehouse, free to the US in 2 to 4 business days, with customs and duties included.
Questions? Our support team answers from US and European time zones, or email support@organicformulashop.com.
More to read: Kendamil UK vs Enfamil, all European baby formula, about HiPP and about Holle.
This page is for information only and is not medical advice: breastfeeding is recommended where possible, and for all medical questions, contact your pediatrician.