There is sometimes a bit of confusion around a Milk Allergy and Lactose Intolerance however, they are both different conditions with different precautionary measures.

Lactose Intolerance is due to not having enough of the enzyme lactase, which is needed to break down lactose, the sugar found in milk and other dairy products.

You’ll typically feel lactose intolerance symptoms between 30 minutes and 2 hours after ingesting milk or a dairy food. Symptoms may include:

• Stomach pain

• Gas and bloating

• Nausea

• Diarrhoea

Milk allergy is a food allergy caused by an allergic reaction to the protein in milk. The immune system thinks the milk protein is a foreign invader so attacks it by releasing chemicals called histamines.

The food allergy reaction to milk can begin within minutes or can be delayed for several hours.

Symptoms may include:

• Stomach pain

• Nausea

• Diarrhoea

• Skin rash

• Swelling of the lips or throat

• Trouble breathing

Individuals with a milk allergy must avoid foods that contain dairy, including the ingredients such as casein, whey, lactulose, lactalbumin, and ghee.

Foods containing Dairy:

• Butter and butter fat

• Cheese, including cottage cheese and cheese sauces

• Cream, including sour cream

• Custard

• Milk, including buttermilk, powdered milk, and evaporated milk

• Yogurt

• Ice cream

• Pudding

However, many other foods also contain milk protein.

Here’s a list of foods that you might not be aware contain milk and should avoid if you have a Milk Allergy. 

Breakfast

• Bread and Crackers

• Cereals

• Granola and Breakfast Bars – Packages bars often contain moldified milk proteins

Dinner

• Instant mash potatoes

• Soup and Broth

• Creamed or scalloped food

• Frozen products

• Soy or rice cheese: These may be manufactured in a factory that also produces milk-containing products. There there may be a risk of cross contact.

• Canned Pasta in Tomatoes Sauce: may contain milk or cheese for extra nutrients and flavour.

• Spice mixes

Meat and Deli Products

• Deli meat slicers are often used for both meat and cheese products. Deli meats also may contain casein (milk protein) to act as a binder.

• Hot dogs: Milk proteins may be added to hot dogs as a filler which allows the manufacturer to use less meat overall. Even ‘All Beef’ hot dogs may contain milk ingredients as well as water, beef and corn starch.

• Sausage: Similar to deli meats, milk protein may be used as an extender or filler in the processing of sausages like hard salami, Italian sausages or breakfast sausage.

• Pate: Animal liver such as beef or chicken may be soaked in milk to remove blood prior to cooking, seasoning and pureeing into a pate. Read ingredient labels and ask how the pate was prepared.

• Tuna fish: Some canned tuna brands add casein, a milk protein to tuna as a filler- it is often listed as “hydrolized caseinate”.

• Shellfish: Some manufacturers dip shellfish in milk to eliminate the “fishy” odor. Always ask about the preparation process before purchasing.

• Steak: Some chefs will add butter to the top of a steak to make it look juicy. Ask for your steak “naked,” with no added ingredients.

• Soy “meat” products: these products can be safer for lactose intolerant, as veggie hot dogs, sausages and patties may contain milk proteins.

• Soy Cheeses : may contain milk proteins for a more cheese-like consistency so if you have a milk allergy better to avoid

Sauces, Dips & Salad Dressing-  made with yogurt or sour cream

• Ranch

• Blue cheese

• White sauce

• Tomatoes sauces

• Gravy

• White Vinaigrette: some contain Parmesan and Romano cheese

Sweet Stuff

• Artificial Sweeteners

• Syrups, fake maple syrups

• Dark Chocolate

• Powdered Hot Chocolate

• Nougat: is usually made with honey, sugar, nuts, egg whites and possibly milk powder although ingredients vary. Always check ingredients label first.

• Sherbet: is a common substitute for ice cream and is made with fruit, water, sugar but may also include gelatin, egg whites, or milk. Many brands contain milk fat or cream. Sorbet is similar but milk free, it is made with fruit, water and sugar but always check the ingredients first.

• Chewing Gum: Ingredients may list “Recaldent or casein”

• Donuts

• Nutella: The main ingredients are palm oil, sugar, cocoa, hazelnuts, whey powder and skin milk powder

• Mint: Some contain casein related ingredients

• Caramel: can be made from sugar and water or milk

• Fondues

• Whipped Toppings: The dessert products that claim a “ non-dairy topping” may contain casein a milk protein.

• Baked Goods and Frosting

• Flavoured Crisps/Chips: most plain crisps, like potatoes or corn don’t contain dairy, but flavoured varieties such as sour cream and onion and cheddar may contain dairy.

Others

• Medicine and Vitamins

• Baby Formula

• Margarine

• Ghee: is pure butter fat with no proteins or sugars however some say there are still trace amount of proteins present

Drinks

• Coffee Creamers

• Pre-made mixes of coffee or hot chocolate

• Goat’s & Sheep milk: the proteins in sheep and goat’s milk are similar to those in cow’s milk and could also cause a reaction.

• Meal Replacement / Protein Powders & Beverages: may contain powdered milk or milk derived ingredients

Milk Proteins

• Lactaid Milk: is for individuals with lactose intolerance, NOT a milk allergy. It contains milk protein (casein and whey) but the milk sugar (lactose) is removed.

• Simpleese: is a fat replacer made from egg and milk protein (whey) and is used as a fat substitute in low-calorie food products like ice cream, mayonnaise, coffee creamer, soups and sauces. Simplesse is a trademark name so it mightn’t be listed by name as an ingredient. Instead, the term “egg and milk protein” may be used.

• Kefir: This fermented beverage is made from animal milk (usually cow’s milk) mixed with kefir grains. The result is a thick, smoothie-like drink. Most do contain milk protein.

• Artificial butter or cheese flavour

• Casein or caseinates

• Curd

• Ghee: is pure butter fat with no proteins or sugars however some say there are still trace amount of proteins present

• Hydrolysates

• Lactalbumin, lactalbumin phosphate

• Lactose, lactoglobulin, lactoferrin, Rennet

• Whey or whey products

lactulose

•  

  This is not a complete list of all of the foods that may contain this allergen, we will continue to add to it through your recommendations so let us know what other foods you have come across in your area that directly contain or may contain this allergen in the comments below or through our social media pages.

   

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DISCLAIMER

The content of this website is intended for educational purposes only and should not be substituted for medical or professional advice. Please consult with your doctor for any health related questions or concerns.