Do you understand the difference between dairy-free, lactose-free and non-dairy? Neither did we until recently. While the terms sound synonymous, there are slight variations that are important to understand so that non-dairy consumers can arrive safely at the right choice in product.
Lactose is a sugar found in milk and milk products. People that are lactose intolerant are unable to produce lactase, the enzyme that helps break down lactose. Since lactose is only found in milk, only products that contain milk can technically be lactose-free. There are many versions of popular milk-containing products that are lactose-free, which means that lactose-intolerant people can breathe a sigh of relief.
As lactose is found in milk, naturally, a dairy-free product is always lactose-free. However, a lactose-free product isn’t necessarily dairy-free, as there are other forms of dairy that aren’t milk. Dairy-free products, therefore, must not contain anything that comes from cows and other mammals. If someone has a milk allergy, they are recommended to stay away from lactose-free products, as this potentially sounds misleading for the unsuspecting consumer.
Finally, non-dairy is a term used for products that supposedly contain no dairy, but are allowed to contain milk proteins and other derivatives. If specific allergies are of concern, it is best to check the label as needed.
Although subtleties are differentiating these terms, it is essential to be aware of this information so that you can accurately inform those concerned. The dairy-free category is growing, and modern dining trends predict that this will continue to be an area of growth.
