I realise that for some of you, I may be stating the obvious, but dairy-free and lactose-free products are not the same. Is lactose free milk dairy free? The answer is no, it is not dairy free. Why am I writing this? If you are new to being dairy-free it is really, really, important to know the difference. Quite often, when we first went dairy-free for our daughter, someone would suggest lactose-free milk or cheese as a substitute for cow’s milk or cheese. I’m sure some of you can relate to this! Well for those of you that are unsure, then please read on. 
What are Lactose and Lactose-Free?
Lactose is a type of sugar that is found in milk and other dairy products. This means products labeled lactose-free have had this sugar removed but they still contain dairy. If you or someone you know is lactose intolerant they cannot have lactose but can have lactose-free dairy products. If you or someone you are catering for is allergic or intolerant to dairy, they CANNOT have lactose-free products. The NHS website states that lactose intolerance is not the same as a milk or dairy allergy. You can read their article by following this link. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/lactose-intolerance/
What is Dairy-Free?
If you or someone you know has a dairy allergy or intolerance, they cannot tolerate the proteins found in milk. This is likely to include all animal milk and related dairy products, not just cow’s milk. Dairy-free products (I’m referring to food products in the UK ) should not contain milk, although they might have a ‘may contain’ warning. Before using products that are dairy-free it is important to know if you or the person you are catering for is OK with ‘may contain’ warnings. It’s always best to double-check and you should always follow your doctor’s advice.
NHS guidance on food allergy can be found here: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/food-allergy/.
Information on CMPA (Cow’s Milk Protein Allergy) in babies and young children can be found here: https://www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/childrens-health/what-should-i-do-if-i-think-my-baby-is-allergic-or-intolerant-to-cows-milk/
Allergens. Manufacturers can and do change their ingredients and processing without notice. All ingredients should be checked every time with regard to specific allergens. Please take note of any “may contain” warnings if you are at risk from cross-contamination. Always follow your own doctor’s medical advice.
