Is Costco Kirkland Formula Good?

The Short Answer

Costco's Kirkland Signature ProCare is an excellent, highly regulated formula that costs half as much as the big name brands. At around $0.71 per ounce, it is arguably the best budget-friendly option on the market today.

It rivals premium formulas by using lactose instead of corn syrup and skipping palm oil. However, it isn't perfect for the strictest ingredient readers—it still relies on soy oil and standard, conventionally-sourced DHA. It is a solid "acceptable" pick that will serve most healthy babies perfectly.

Why This Matters

Formula feeding can easily cost over $1,500 in your baby's first year. If you buy premium name brands like Similac or Enfamil, you are paying roughly $1.40 per ounce. Switching to a generic option like Costco's cuts that bill entirely in half.

Generic formulas are heavily regulated by the government. By law, every infant formula sold in the US must meet exact nutritional standards. You can read more about this in our guide on Is Formula Fda Regulated.

Costco doesn't actually make this formula. It is manufactured by Perrigo, a massive pharmaceutical company that produces almost all store-brand formulas in America. If you are comparing Generic Vs Name Brand Safety, knowing that one massive, FDA-inspected company makes the generics should give you immediate peace of mind.

What's Actually In Kirkland ProCare

Kirkland ProCare is designed to mimic standard, milk-based name brands like Similac Pro-Advance. Here is what is actually inside the tub:

• Lactose — The primary carbohydrate. This is the exact same sugar found in human breast milk, completely avoiding cheaper alternatives. Corn Syrup Baby Formula
• Nonfat Milk & Whey Protein — The primary protein sources. Kirkland uses a 52:48 whey-to-casein ratio, which is intentionally formulated to be closer to breast milk than standard cow's milk.
• Soy Oil — A cheap fat source used to mimic the fatty acid profile of breast milk. While generally recognized as safe, it is highly processed and avoided by some parents. Is Soy Formula Safe
• Schizochytrium Sp. Oil — The source of DHA for brain development. This is lab-grown algae oil that is typically extracted using chemical solvents. Hexane Extracted Dha
• Dual HMOs (2'-FL & LNnT) — Human Milk Oligosaccharides are synthetic prebiotics that support gut health and immune function.

What to Look For

Green Flags:

• No Corn Syrup — Kirkland relies 100% on lactose for carbohydrates, avoiding glucose syrup or maltodextrin.
• No Palm Olein Oil — Skipping palm oil means better calcium absorption and softer stool for your baby. Palm Oil Baby Formula
• FDA Regulated — Meets the exact same strict nutritional requirements as formulas that cost twice as much.

Red Flags:

• Standard Cow's Milk — It uses conventional dairy rather than organic or A2 milk, which can be harder for sensitive babies to digest. Best Organic Formula
• Contains Soy — Uses soy oil and soy lecithin, which are highly processed and often genetically modified.
• Hexane-Extracted DHA — Uses standard algae-based DHA rather than cleaner extraction methods or fish oil. Dha Source Formula

The Best Options

If you are deciding between Costco's formula and other popular brands, here is how it stacks up. For a deeper dive on premium options, check out Safest Formula Brands.

The Bottom Line

1. Buy it if you want the best value. You will save hundreds of dollars a year without sacrificing core nutritional quality.

2. Skip it if you want strictly organic ingredients. It relies on conventional dairy and processed soy oil.

3. Don't worry about the "generic" label. It is manufactured by Perrigo and meets the exact same FDA safety standards as the biggest names in the industry.

FAQ

Is Kirkland formula the same as Similac?

It is nutritionally very similar, but not identical. Kirkland ProCare is designed to compete directly with Similac Pro-Advance, sharing key features like 100% lactose and no palm oil. However, Kirkland is manufactured by Perrigo, while Similac is made by Abbott.

Has Kirkland formula been recalled?

There are currently no active 2026 recalls for Kirkland ProCare. Costco did have a Canadian recall for possible Cronobacter back in 2019, but generic formulas overall have a strong safety record. Always check your batch numbers if you hear about Baby Formula Recalls.

Why is Kirkland formula out of stock so often?

Supply chain issues frequently hit store brands the hardest. Because Perrigo manufactures formula for Walmart, Target, and Costco simultaneously, a shortage in raw materials can cause rolling outages across all generic labels. If you can't find it, consider reading Is Generic Formula Okay to find identical alternatives.

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