Kendamil: How we aim to support sustainability

Kendamil stands out from the crowd for its unique whole milk recipe that’s been created in the beautiful Lake District. But there’s more to us than great taste - we’re also passionate about sustainability too!

Vegetarian and Fish Oil-Free

Did you know that most baby formulas aren’t vegetarian? That’s due to two reasons - they usually contain fish oil and rennet. But guess what? We’ve changed the game! We’re proud to currently be the only brand of baby formula available in the UK with Vegetarian Society certification. As a family run business, we pride ourselves on being able to provide a product that families with different dietary needs can give their little ones.

Traditionally, many baby formulas use fish oil as their source of DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), an omega-3 fatty acid crucial for brain development. We’ve chosen to use micro-algae as our source of DHA instead. Algae is at the very start of the marine food chain, making it a super-efficient way to get DHA. So, we’ve skipped the fish and gone straight to the source!

Did you know, the overharvesting of fish oil has led to the depletion of marine fish populations? Overfishing is responsible for destroying nearly A THIRD of the world’s fisheries.

By using micro-algae for our DHA source, we’re not just keeping it vegetarian, but we’re also helping to tackle the overfishing crisis.

Plus, algae can be grown sustainably in controlled environments, so there’s no need for wild harvesting and all the ecological issues that come with it. And did we mention? We make sure this process is Hexane free..

And even better, because we have no fish oil in our recipe, our creamy whole-milk taste shines through! All in all, it was a no brainer for us to use.

Palm Oil Free

Did you know that we lobbied to have palm oil removed from baby formulas? That’s right! With our unique use of whole milk fats, Kendamil doesn’t need as much added fat, so we can skip the palm oil altogether.

First Steps Nutrition Trust, a leading nutrition charity, sent out a newsletter in June 2021 with a study stating "the removal of palm oil from infant milks and baby foods would be a prudent response." The study also acknowledged Kendamil for being palm oil-free and encouraged other brands to do so - in fact, our very own founder Ross even lobbied for the UK Parliament to prohibit the use of palm oil in infant formula, as part of the All-Party Parliamentary Group discussion on a Fit and Healthy Childhood. We’re now seeing more and more brands follow our lead and remove palm oil from their formulas too.

Whilst palm oil is an approved ingredient in baby formula, there is some research out there that suggests it might not be the optimum choice. For example, some studies have suggested that palm oil can interfere with the absorption of calcium and fat in infants, which might affect their growth and development. By keeping palm oil out of our products, we make sure your little ones get all the nutrition they need without any of these potential drawbacks.

And did you know that around 50% of products in a British supermarket contain palm oil? The WWF has highlighted its significant environmental impact. Palm oil production has long been associated with deforestation, habitat destruction, and negative impacts on wildlife, particularly in tropical regions. Recognizing the environmental toll of palm oil, Kendamil has made a conscious decision to formulate our baby milk without adding any. To compensate for no added palm oil, we continue to meet the infant formula standards by using natural whole milk fats and only essential vegetable oils to make our formula balanced, sustainable and full of healthy fats without harming our planet.

Everyday Actions

Kendamil’s dedication to sustainability doesn’t stop at our ingredients. We’re dedicated to sourcing responsibly, using thoughtful manufacturing practices, and always looking for new ways to minimise our environmental footprint.

At Kendamil, we’re proud to support British farmers and manufacturers. By partnering with local farms and using Red Tractor and Soil Association certified ingredients, we ensure that our products are of the highest quality while backing ethical farming practices right here in the UK.

Our commitment to sustainability extends to our factory as well. We’re dedicated to reducing our environmental impact by using energy-efficient processes and finding innovative ways to repurpose waste products. For instance, we turn by-products into animal feed, which helps us minimise waste and support the agricultural community.

We’re also thrilled to offer our customers recyclable packaging as part of our ongoing efforts to be more eco-friendly. And, in line with our commitment to recycling, we’re part of the Boots recycling scheme, making it easier for you to dispose of our packaging responsibly. At every step, we strive to make choices that are good for the planet and beneficial for the communities we’re a part of.

Want to know more about our science, ingredients and safety standards? Look no further, we have a blog covering everything you need to know right here.

We will continue to do right by your little ones AND by the planet. Because, for us, the two are connected. At Kendamil, we are not just providing a nourishing formula for your baby; we are doing our part to ensure the planet they inherit is as healthy and thriving as they are.

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