Is kendamil Gluten Free?

The Ingredient Breakdown

As a food scientist, I scrutinize ingredient labels to identify potential allergens and irritants. When analyzing Kendamil, the primary concern for gluten-free consumers is the presence of wheat, barley, rye, or hidden gluten in flavorings. Based on the standard formulation, Kendamil relies heavily on dairy derivatives rather than grains.

The core ingredients include Whole Milk and Demineralised Whey Powder. These are naturally gluten-free. The carbohydrates come from Lactose, Galacto-oligosaccharides, and Fructo-oligosaccharides. None of these are derived from gluten grains. While oats are sometimes processed in facilities that handle wheat, the current Kendamil formulation does not list oats or any grain-based starches that would typically trigger a gluten alert.

Furthermore, the oil blend (Sunflower, Coconut, Rapeseed) and the extensive list of vitamins and minerals (such as Ferrous sulfate and Zinc sulfate) are pure additives that do not contain gluten. The only potential flag here is dairy; while gluten-free, Kendamil is not dairy-free.

Nutritional Value

Kendamil is designed to mimic the nutritional profile of breast milk, which means it is dense in calories and healthy fats. A standard serving provides roughly 68 calories, derived primarily from the Whole Milk and Blend of oils. This is essential for infant growth but translates to a high-calorie density if used as a supplement for adults.

In terms of sugar, the main carbohydrate is Lactose. This is the natural sugar found in milk. While it is a sugar, it is not added refined sugar, which is a positive distinction. For those on a ketogenic or low-sugar diet, the lactose content might be a consideration, but for general health, it is a standard energy source for growing children. The protein content is high-quality, coming from Skimmed milk powder and Whey protein concentrate.