What Is Lactose-Free Milk and How Are LACTAID^® Lactose-Free Products Made?

Lactose-free milk is 100% real milk that doesn’t contain lactose, a type of sugar contained in regular milk¹. Lactose-free milk, such as LACTAID®, still provides the great taste and benefits of regular milk². This means you can enjoy your favorite dairy products without upsetting your stomach if you’re sensitive to lactose or have lactose intolerance¹.

What Is Lactose?

Lactose is a complex sugar found naturally in milk and other dairy products³. Millions of Americans are intolerant to lactose, meaning they are unable to fully digest lactose³.

What Is Lactose Intolerance?

If your natural level of lactase enzyme is too low, you could be lactose intolerant⁴. Lactase is an enzyme produced by your small intestines which breaks down the complex sugars of lactose in dairy products into simpler sugars – glucose and galactose - while you digest⁴.

Lactose intolerance is not a milk allergy, but it can cause discomfort and take away from the enjoyment of dairy³. Our at-home lactose intolerance test can help you determine if you might be lactose intolerant.

What Does Lactose-Free Mean?

Lactose-free products such as LACTAID® Milk, are real dairy products that are refined so they don’t contain lactose¹. Removing lactose from dairy products allows people with a lactose intolerance or sensitivity to enjoy real milk and dairy products without suffering discomfort caused by lactose¹.

Lactose-free does not mean dairy-free. Lactose-free products are made with real dairy and contain all the nutrients of regular milk products. Learn more about the difference between lactose-free and dairy-free here.

How Is LACTAID® Lactose-Free Milk Made?

1. Farmers Collect Milk: Our fresh milk comes from cows free of artificial growth hormone treatment.

2. The Process: Lactase Enzymes are added to Lactaid dairy products to break apart the naturally-occurring Lactose sugar.

3. The Finished Product: All goodness, Lactaid can be enjoyed by all milk lovers. It contains all the goodness and nutrition of real milk, minus the discomfort.

The Difference Between Regular Milk and Lactose-Free Milk

Aside from the fact that lactose-free milk does not contain lactose, making it easier to digest, there is little difference between regular milk and lactose-free milk².

Does Lactose-Free Milk Taste Different?

To most people, lactose-free milk tastes the same as regular milk. However, some people find LACTAID® milk is slightly sweeter than regular milk⁵. This is because the lactose has been broken down into simpler sugars already, which sweetens the taste before drinking⁶.

Lactose-Free Milk vs Regular Milk: Nutritional Values

When comparing LACTAID® with conventional milk, there are no nutritional differences¹. One cup of LACTAID® 2% Milk and regular 2% milk each contain¹:

lactose-free-milk-protein-calcium-vitamins

Get the Nutritional Benefits of Milk, Without Lactose

LACTAID® products have the same nutritional benefits as regular milk. Whether you’re looking for whole milk, reduced fat, low fat or fat free, you’ll find LACTAID® contains all the nutrients and tastes as delicious as regular milk options – without the discomfort that can be caused by lactose².