Neither Kendamil nor Enfamil is categorically “better.” Both meet the nutritional requirements set by the FDA for infant formula sold in the United States, and both will safely nourish your baby. But they take meaningfully different approaches to ingredients, fat sources, and production standards, and those differences matter to many parents. Here’s how the two brands actually compare.
The Milk Base: Whole Milk vs. Skim Milk
The biggest difference between these two formulas starts with the milk itself. Kendamil uses liquid whole milk as its base, which retains natural milk fat. This makes the fat profile closer to what’s found in breast milk, because cow’s milk fat naturally contains some of the same fatty acid structures. Enfamil’s standard formulas use nonfat milk (skim) and then add vegetable oils back in to reach the required fat content.
This isn’t just a philosophical distinction. The type of fat in a formula affects how well babies absorb nutrients and how easily they digest it, which leads to the next major difference.
Fat Sources and Palm Oil
Kendamil’s added fats come from coconut oil, sunflower oil, and rapeseed oil. Enfamil uses palm olein, coconut oil, high oleic sunflower oil, and soy oil. The inclusion of palm olein in Enfamil is one of the most debated ingredients in infant formula.
Palm oil contains palmitic acid, which can bind with calcium in a baby’s gut to form insoluble compounds sometimes called “calcium soaps.” These pass through the digestive system as harder stools. Studies have shown that formulas containing palm oil can reduce the absorption of both healthy fats and important minerals like calcium. Some babies on palm oil formulas experience firmer stools or constipation as a result. Kendamil does not use palm oil in any of its products.
If your baby seems constipated or is passing hard stools on Enfamil, the palm olein could be a contributing factor worth discussing with your pediatrician.
Brain Development: Two Different Strategies
Both brands market themselves as supporting brain development, but they get there differently. Enfamil’s NeuroPro line includes Milk Fat Globule Membrane (MFGM), a component naturally found in breast milk that plays a role in cognitive development. Kendamil doesn’t add MFGM as a separate ingredient. Instead, it relies on the natural milk fat retained from its whole-milk base, which contains some of these same beneficial compounds in their original form.
For DHA, the omega-3 fatty acid critical to brain and eye development, Kendamil sources it from microalgae oil. This is a plant-based, vegetarian-friendly source that gets the DHA directly from where fish themselves obtain it. Enfamil also includes DHA, though from different sources depending on the product line.
Production Standards and Sourcing
Kendamil is manufactured in the UK under European Union regulations, which are generally stricter than US standards for infant formula. EU rules ban the use of growth hormones and routine antibiotics in dairy cattle. Kendamil also offers organic options certified by both EU Organic and the British Soil Association, meaning the milk comes from farms free of pesticides and synthetic fertilizers.
Enfamil is produced in the United States and does not carry organic certifications on its standard lines. Its ingredients may include non-GMO components, but the brand acknowledges potential trace GMOs from manufacturing. US dairy regulations permit growth hormones and antibiotics under certain conditions, which is a meaningful distinction for parents who prioritize how the source milk is produced.
Price Difference
Kendamil is noticeably more expensive. Its organic formula runs about $1.42 per powdered ounce at US retailers. Enfamil’s standard formulas are typically less costly, and they’re far more widely available at grocery stores, pharmacies, and big-box retailers across the country. Kendamil’s US distribution has grown but still lags behind Enfamil’s near-universal availability. If budget or convenience is a primary concern, Enfamil has a clear advantage.
Recall History
No formula brand is immune to safety issues. In February 2026, Kendamil recalled specific lots of its infant formula in Canada due to contamination with cereulide, a heat-stable toxin produced by certain bacteria. The toxin cannot be destroyed by boiling or standard formula preparation. The recall was classified as Class 2, meaning the contamination posed a risk but was not likely to cause serious health consequences. Only two specific lot numbers were affected.
Enfamil has also had recalls over the years, as have most major formula manufacturers. A single recall doesn’t define a brand’s overall safety record, but it’s worth checking the FDA’s recall database for the most current information on whichever formula you choose.
Which One Should You Choose?
If you prioritize a whole-milk base, palm oil-free ingredients, EU production standards, and plant-sourced DHA, Kendamil aligns more closely with what you’re looking for. Its ingredient list is shorter and relies less on processed vegetable oils.
If you want a formula with added MFGM for brain development, need something widely available at any store, or are working within a tighter budget, Enfamil is a practical and nutritionally complete choice. Its NeuroPro line specifically targets cognitive development with ingredients backed by the brand’s own clinical research.
What matters most is that your baby tolerates the formula well, gains weight appropriately, and seems comfortable after feedings. Some babies do better on one than the other for reasons that have nothing to do with ingredient labels. A formula that looks perfect on paper but causes gas, reflux, or fussiness in your particular baby isn’t the right formula for your family.