On this site we talk about lactose a lot. For many people with a J-pouch it can mean wind and looser output, and lactose-free milk is one of the swaps we mention. But a swap for lactose is not a swap for a milk allergy. The labels can make that easy to miss.
Two different problems
- Lactose intolerance is about the sugar in milk. Your gut doesn't break lactose down well, so it gets fermented instead. That can mean wind, cramps and loose output. It's uncomfortable, but it isn't an allergy.
- Milk allergy is about the proteins in milk, mainly casein and whey. The immune system reacts to them. Small amounts can matter, and reactions can be serious.
Lactose-free milk is usually made by adding an enzyme called lactase, which splits the lactose. Some is filtered to remove it. The proteins are left as they are. It deals with the first problem only. It does nothing for the second. ASCIA, the allergy body for Australia and New Zealand, lists lactose-free milk as not suitable for people with a cow's milk allergy.
What the label words mean
| On the label | What it tells you | Can it still contain milk protein? |
|---|---|---|
| "Lactose free" | A claim about the milk sugar only. Under the Food Standards Code it means no detectable lactose. | Yes. Lactose-free milk, yoghurt and cheese are still dairy. |
| "Low lactose" | Some lactose is left: no more than 2 g per 100 g under the Code. | Yes. Same milk proteins as ordinary dairy. |
| "Dairy free" | The maker says no dairy is used. The Code has no set definition for it. General fair-trading law still applies. | Check. Read the ingredient list and any "may contain" note too. |
| "Contains milk" | On packaged foods that require an ingredient list, milk must be named in bold in that list and in a separate bold summary starting with "Contains", such as "Contains milk". | Yes. This is the label telling you so. |
| "May contain milk" | A voluntary warning about possible cross-contact where the food was made. The Code doesn't require or define it. | Possibly. Traces can't be ruled out. |
| Milk solids, milk powder, whey, casein, caseinate, butter, ghee, cream | Ingredients made from milk. | Yes. The label should name milk for these too. |
| Lactose as an ingredient | Milk sugar used in processed food and as a filler in some tablets. | Can do. It's made from milk, so a food label should name milk next to it. |
Label rules from the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code, as described by FSANZ. Rules can change, so check the current pages in the sources below.
What this means on our site
Our scores model how a food might affect gas, output and comfort with a J-pouch. They don't measure allergens. A low score for lactose-free milk says nothing about a milk allergy. If you, or someone you cook for, has a milk allergy, the allergen label and their own allergy advice come first. If you think you or someone you cook for has a milk allergy, see a doctor. They can test for it and give you an allergy plan. If someone has trouble breathing or their throat swells after eating, call 111. Our hidden ingredients guide lists the label names for lactose. Allergy New Zealand has support and information on milk allergy.