Kendamil vs Kabrita Formula (2026): Which Is Better?
Kendamil vs Kabrita formula compared side by side. Price, features, safety, ease of use, and real parent reviews. Our pick for 2026.
By TeachToddler Editorial Team · Updated April 11, 2026 · Baby Gear
🍼 British Cow's Milk vs. Dutch Goat's Milk
Kendamil and Kabrita represent two of the most interesting European-heritage formulas available to US parents. Kendamil is a British brand (made in Kendal, England, by Kendal Nutricare) that entered the US market in 2022. Kabrita is a Dutch brand (made by Ausnutria in the Netherlands) that has been available in the US for several years. Both draw on European formula traditions that differ meaningfully from the Similac/Enfamil approach.
- Kendamil: Cow's milk-based, uses whole milk fat (cream) from British and Irish grass-fed cows instead of vegetable oil-heavy fat blends. Available as Classic and Organic. FDA-registered infant formula (0–12 months) with Stage 1, Stage 2, and Toddler options
- Kabrita: Goat milk-based, sourced from Dutch goat farms. Naturally contains A2 beta-casein protein. Sold in the US as a toddler formula (12–36 months); sold internationally as Stage 1/2/3 infant formula
- Both brands avoid soy as a protein ingredient and offer a cleaner ingredient list than most mainstream US formulas
- Both are manufactured in Europe under EU food safety regulations, which some parents perceive as stricter than US FDA rules (though both regulatory systems ensure safety)
🧪 Ingredient Breakdown
The ingredient philosophies differ significantly between these two formulas. Here's what goes into each.
- Protein: Kendamil uses whole cow's milk and demineralized whey powder. Kabrita uses whole goat milk and goat whey protein. Goat milk protein is naturally A2-dominant and forms smaller curds. Cow's milk contains a mix of A1 and A2 protein
- Fat source: Kendamil's standout feature is whole milk fat (cream) as its primary fat — this provides natural MFGM and sn-2 palmitate without needing palm oil. Supplemental fats include coconut oil and rapeseed oil. Kabrita uses a blend of vegetable oils (palm, coconut, sunflower, rapeseed) plus goat milk fat
- Carbohydrate: Both use lactose as the primary carbohydrate. Kendamil Organic uses only organic lactose. Kabrita also uses lactose from goat milk. Neither uses corn syrup solids or maltodextrin
- DHA: Kendamil uses plant-based DHA from algal oil — notably, their DHA is sourced from Schizochytrium sp. and does not use hexane extraction. Kabrita also uses DHA from algal oil and ARA from fungal (Mortierella alpina) oil
- Prebiotics: Kendamil includes HMO (human milk oligosaccharides) — specifically 2'-FL and 3-FL — as well as GOS prebiotic fiber. Kabrita includes GOS as its prebiotic. Kendamil's HMO inclusion puts it alongside Similac as one of the few formulas offering this breast milk component
- Palm oil: Kendamil does NOT contain palm oil (one of its key differentiators). Kabrita DOES contain palm oil in its vegetable oil blend
EU vs. FDA regulation: Both Kendamil and Kabrita are manufactured under EU food safety standards, which regulate pesticide residues, heavy metals, and certain additives differently than the US. For example, the EU bans certain pesticides permitted in the US and has stricter limits on lead and cadmium in baby food. However, any formula sold as "infant formula" in the US must also meet FDA nutritional requirements. Kendamil has completed this process; Kabrita has not (it's sold as toddler formula in the US).
💰 Price Comparison
Both formulas are premium-priced but generally more affordable than ByHeart or Bobbie on a per-ounce basis.
- Kendamil Classic Stage 1: ~$33–$36 for an 800g (28.2 oz) can. Works out to about $1.17–$1.28/oz of powder
- Kendamil Organic Stage 1: ~$38–$42 for 800g. Works out to about $1.35–$1.49/oz of powder
- Kabrita Goat Milk Toddler Formula: ~$35–$37 for a 28 oz can. Works out to about $1.25–$1.32/oz of powder
- Monthly cost estimate: $130–$180/month for Kendamil Classic or Kabrita; $160–$210/month for Kendamil Organic
- Where to buy: Kendamil is available at Target, Whole Foods, Amazon, and kendamil.com. Kabrita is at Whole Foods, Amazon, buybuyBABY, and kabrita.com. Both offer subscription discounts on their direct websites
🥛 Taste, Mixing, and Parent Experience
Day-to-day usability matters just as much as ingredient lists. Here's what parents report about actually using these formulas.
- Kendamil taste: Parents describe it as creamy and mild, with a richer flavor than Similac or Enfamil due to the whole milk fat. Most babies accept it easily, though some find it slightly different from the thinner taste of skim milk-based formulas
- Kabrita taste: Goat milk has a naturally slightly tangy, earthy flavor. Most babies don't notice or mind, but some parents report an adjustment period of a few days if switching from cow's milk formula
- Mixing Kendamil: Dissolves well in room-temperature or warm water. Some parents note it's slightly foamier than mainstream formulas; letting it sit for a minute after shaking reduces bubbles
- Mixing Kabrita: Generally mixes smoothly with warm water. The powder is fine-textured and dissolves without significant clumping
- Stool changes: Parents switching to Kendamil often report softer, more yellow stools (similar to breastfed babies), likely due to the whole milk fat. Kabrita users also report soft, well-formed stools. Both formulas tend to produce less constipation than palm oil-containing formulas, though Kabrita does contain palm oil
⚖️ Key Trade-Offs
Neither formula is universally better. Here are the meaningful trade-offs to consider.
- FDA infant registration: Kendamil is FDA-registered for 0–12 months. Kabrita is only sold as toddler formula (12+) in the US. If you want a goat milk infant formula with full US regulatory backing, it's not currently available from Kabrita
- Milk type: If you specifically want goat milk (for A2 protein or because your baby seems to tolerate it better), Kabrita is the choice. If you're fine with cow's milk but want whole milk fat and no palm oil, Kendamil is the choice
- HMO prebiotics: Kendamil includes 2'-FL and 3-FL HMOs, which are breast milk components that support immune development. Kabrita includes GOS but not HMOs. This is a notable advantage for Kendamil
- Organic option: Kendamil offers a certified organic version. Kabrita does not have an organic option
- Palm oil: Kendamil avoids palm oil entirely. Kabrita contains palm oil. If avoiding palm oil matters to you (for calcium absorption or environmental reasons), Kendamil wins here
- Product range: Kendamil offers Stage 1, Stage 2, Toddler, Classic, and Organic versions. Kabrita offers one US product (goat milk toddler formula) — simpler but less flexible
✅ Which Should You Choose?
Here's a practical decision guide based on your priorities and your baby's needs.
- Choose Kendamil if: You want an FDA-registered infant formula, prefer whole milk fat over vegetable oil blends, want HMO prebiotics, need an organic option, or want to avoid palm oil
- Choose Kabrita if: Your toddler (12+ months) doesn't tolerate cow's milk well, you want A2 goat milk protein as a gentler alternative, or your baby did well on goat milk formula internationally and you want to continue in the US
- For newborns (0–12 months): Kendamil is the straightforward choice here, since Kabrita is only marketed for 12+ months in the US
- For confirmed milk allergy: Neither — goat milk cross-reacts with cow's milk protein. Speak with your pediatrician about extensively hydrolyzed formulas
- On a budget: Kendamil Classic offers arguably the best ingredient quality-to-price ratio among premium European formulas available in the US