Do digestives have dairy in them? What you need to know

December 8, 2025 •

3 min read

In a notable recipe change in 2019, McVitie's removed dried skimmed milk from its Original Digestive biscuits, making them suitable for vegans. However, whether a digestive biscuit contains dairy still depends on the brand, specific variety, and ingredients used.

Quick Summary

The presence of dairy in digestive biscuits varies significantly by manufacturer and specific product line. While some plain original varieties are now dairy-free, flavored options like milk chocolate digestives explicitly contain dairy ingredients. Always check the packaging for milk, butter, or whey to confirm.

Key Points

McVitie's Original is Dairy-Free: McVitie's removed dried skimmed milk from its Original Digestive recipe in 2019, making it suitable for vegans.
Milk Chocolate Varieties Contain Dairy: Digestive biscuits coated in milk chocolate, like McVitie's Milk Chocolate Digestives, contain milk powder, whey, and butter oil.
Always Check the Label: The presence of dairy varies significantly by brand and variety, so always read the ingredients list to confirm.
Watch for Hidden Dairy: Beyond obvious milk, look for ingredients like whey powder, butter oil, and lactose, which are also dairy derivatives.
Consider Dark Chocolate and Own-Brand Options: Some brands offer dark chocolate digestives and own-brand originals that are dairy-free, but require careful label checking.
Cross-Contamination is Possible: Packaging often includes 'May also contain milk' warnings, which is important for individuals with severe milk allergies.

Do digestives have dairy in them? The ingredient breakdown

For anyone with a dairy allergy, lactose intolerance, or following a vegan diet, knowing the ingredients in common foods like digestive biscuits is essential. While the name suggests a simple, wholesome biscuit, the presence of dairy is not a given. The answer to 'do digestives have dairy in them?' is not a simple 'yes' or 'no', but a case-by-case evaluation depending on the brand and variety. The most significant recent development was McVitie's reformulation of its original recipe.

The McVitie's Original Recipe Change

Until 2019, McVitie's Original Digestives contained dried skimmed milk, making them unsuitable for vegans and those avoiding dairy. However, a significant recipe change removed this ingredient, making the plain original biscuits dairy-free. This was celebrated news within the vegan community. Despite this change, consumers should always double-check the label, especially as older stock might still be on shelves. The McVitie's Original Digestives now contain WHEAT flour, vegetable oil, wholemeal wheat flour, sugar, partially inverted sugar syrup, raising agents, and salt.

Milk Chocolate vs. Dark Chocolate Digestives

The presence of dairy is particularly crucial when considering chocolate-coated versions. Any digestive biscuit coated in milk chocolate will contain dairy. McVitie's Milk Chocolate Digestives, for example, list skimmed milk powder, dried whey (milk), and butter oil (milk) among their ingredients. In contrast, some dark chocolate-coated digestives from brands like Tesco are manufactured to be dairy-free and suitable for vegans. The key is to read the packaging carefully, as dark chocolate is not automatically dairy-free.

Key Dairy Ingredients to Spot

When checking the ingredient list, it's vital to know the different forms dairy can take. Besides obvious milk, other common dairy-derived ingredients include:

Butter or Butter Oil: Frequently used for flavor and texture, found in many recipes.
Dried Skimmed Milk Powder: A common component in older digestive recipes and still present in many varieties.
Whey Powder: A byproduct of cheesemaking, often used as a filler or emulsifier.
Lactose: The sugar found in milk, though sometimes used in other forms.
Casein or Caseinates: Milk proteins used as a binder or thickener.

Dairy-Free Alternatives and Brands

Several brands and varieties offer dairy-free or vegan options. Beyond the reformulated McVitie's Original, some supermarket own-brand digestives may also be suitable. Always verify the ingredients, as recipes can change without notice. Other naturally dairy-free biscuits, like some ginger nuts and rich tea biscuits, are also excellent alternatives. For those who enjoy homemade versions, many vegan digestive biscuit recipes are available, using plant-based butter or oil and milk alternatives.

Comparison of Digestive Biscuit Varieties


Feature	McVitie's Original Digestives	McVitie's Milk Chocolate Digestives	Store Brand (Dairy-Free Example)	Vegan Dark Chocolate Digestives
Dairy Status	Dairy-Free (since 2019)	Contains Dairy	Dairy-Free	Dairy-Free
Key Dairy Ingredients	None	Skimmed Milk Powder, Butter Oil, Whey Powder	None	None (Vegan Dark Chocolate)
Recipe Change Noted	Yes, removed milk in 2019.	Not applicable.	Varies, must check label.	Varies, must check label.
Best for Dairy-Free?	Yes	No	Yes (if specified)	Yes (if specified)
Best for Vegan?	Yes.	No	Yes (if specified)	Yes (if specified)

The Importance of Label Checking

Given the variability in recipes and production, the most reliable method for determining if a digestive biscuit is dairy-free is to read the ingredient list on the packaging. Manufacturers are required by law to highlight allergens, including milk. Furthermore, look for 'May also contain milk' warnings, as these indicate potential cross-contamination during manufacturing, which is crucial for those with severe allergies. For example, some McVitie's products state this.

Conclusion

The simple question, "Do digestives have dairy in them?" requires a nuanced answer. While the good news is that popular original versions, like McVitie's, are now dairy-free and vegan, this is not true for all products. Chocolate-coated digestives, particularly milk chocolate varieties, almost always contain dairy ingredients such as milk powder and butter oil. Consumers should always check the label for specific allergens and be mindful of potential cross-contamination warnings. For a guaranteed dairy-free option, look for explicitly labeled vegan alternatives or consider making them at home.

For more information on the McVitie's recipe change, you can read the article from Vegan Food & Living.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, as of 2019, McVitie's removed dried skimmed milk from its Original Digestive recipe, making them dairy-free and suitable for vegans.

Yes, digestive biscuits coated in milk chocolate almost always contain dairy, but some dark chocolate versions can be dairy-free. You must check the label to be certain.

In addition to milk, look for ingredients such as dried skimmed milk powder, butter, butter oil, whey powder, and lactose, as these are all dairy products.

No, whether a store-brand digestive is dairy-free depends on the specific recipe. Many may contain milk or whey, so reading the ingredient list is crucial.

Yes, many products include a warning that they 'May also contain milk,' which means they are manufactured in a facility where dairy is present. This is a concern for those with severe allergies.

The most reliable way is to check the packaging for a vegan certification label or explicitly confirm that the ingredients list contains no milk, butter, whey, or other dairy products.

Yes, digestive biscuits were invented in 1839 by Scottish doctors who added sodium bicarbonate to the recipe, believing it would aid digestion.