Is LACTAID Still Considered Dairy?

January 7, 2026 •

3 min read

According to the National Institutes of Health, an estimated 65% of the world's population has a reduced ability to digest lactose after infancy, leading many to seek alternatives like LACTAID. This has caused a common misconception: Is LACTAID still considered dairy? The simple answer is yes, LACTAID products are still derived from real dairy milk.

Quick Summary

LACTAID is a lactose-free product, but it is not dairy-free. It is made from real cow's milk with a lactase enzyme added to break down the lactose sugar. Individuals with a true milk allergy or those following a vegan diet must avoid LACTAID, as it still contains milk proteins like casein and whey.

Key Points

LACTAID is Dairy: The product is made from real cow's milk, but has the milk sugar (lactose) broken down by an added enzyme.
Lactose-Free is Not Dairy-Free: While lactose-free, LACTAID still contains milk proteins like casein and whey, making it unsuitable for those with a dairy allergy or a vegan diet.
Intolerance vs. Allergy: Lactose intolerance is a digestive issue related to the inability to process milk sugar, whereas a milk allergy is an immune system response to milk proteins.
Lactase Enzyme: LACTAID adds the lactase enzyme to milk to pre-digest the lactose, which helps prevent the symptoms of lactose intolerance.
Read Labels Carefully: For anyone with dietary restrictions related to dairy, it's crucial to differentiate between products labeled 'lactose-free' and 'dairy-free' by checking the ingredient list.
Vegan Options: Those on a vegan diet or with a milk allergy should choose plant-based alternatives like almond, oat, or soy milk, which are naturally dairy-free.

Understanding the 'Lactose-Free' vs. 'Dairy-Free' Difference

The terms "lactose-free" and "dairy-free" are often mistakenly used interchangeably, but they refer to two distinct things when it comes to food composition. The key difference lies in what is being removed or treated. Dairy-free products are completely free of all dairy, meaning no milk or any milk derivatives are present. These alternatives are typically plant-based, such as almond, soy, or oat milk.

Lactose-free products, like LACTAID, are still dairy products. The lactose—a sugar naturally found in milk—is either filtered out or, more commonly, pre-digested by adding the lactase enzyme during processing. This process makes the product suitable for people with lactose intolerance, whose bodies do not produce enough lactase to break down the milk sugar on their own. However, the milk proteins (casein and whey), which cause allergic reactions in some individuals, remain present.

How is LACTAID milk made?

LACTAID milk starts its life as real, farm-fresh cow's milk. A special industrial process is then used to break down the lactose. The company adds the lactase enzyme to the milk, which works to split the complex lactose sugar molecule into two simpler, more easily digestible sugars: glucose and galactose. This is the same reaction that occurs naturally in the small intestine of people who can digest lactose. The result is a milk product that has the same nutritional profile as regular milk, but without the problematic milk sugar. Because these simpler sugars taste sweeter than lactose, LACTAID milk often has a slightly sweeter flavor than standard milk, but it does not actually contain more sugar.

Distinguishing Between Intolerance and Allergy

It is critical to understand the distinction between lactose intolerance and a dairy or milk allergy. These are very different conditions with different implications for what you can and cannot consume.

Lactose Intolerance: This is a digestive issue. It occurs when the body lacks the lactase enzyme, leading to discomfort like bloating, gas, and diarrhea when consuming lactose. Lactose-free products like LACTAID are specifically designed to address this problem.
Dairy (Milk) Allergy: This is an immune system response, which is a far more serious condition. A milk allergy is triggered by the proteins in milk (casein and whey), not the sugar. For individuals with a milk allergy, consuming any dairy product, including LACTAID, can trigger a potentially severe allergic reaction.

Comparison: Lactose-Free Dairy vs. Dairy-Free Alternatives


Feature	Lactose-Free Dairy (e.g., LACTAID)	Dairy-Free Alternatives (e.g., Almond Milk)
Source	100% real cow's milk	Plant-based sources (almonds, oats, soy, etc.)
Contains Dairy Proteins?	Yes (casein, whey)	No
Contains Lactose?	No (lactose is broken down)	No
Suitable for Lactose Intolerance?	Yes	Yes
Suitable for Dairy Allergy?	No	Yes
Suitable for Vegan Diet?	No	Yes
Nutritional Profile	Same as conventional dairy milk (calcium, protein)	Varies widely; often fortified with nutrients

Is LACTAID Safe for Everyone?

Because LACTAID products are still derived from real dairy, they are not a universal solution for all dietary restrictions. The crucial factor is identifying the root cause of your sensitivity. If you suffer from lactose intolerance, LACTAID provides a convenient way to enjoy dairy products without the discomfort. However, if you have a true milk allergy or are following a vegan diet for ethical reasons, LACTAID is not a suitable option. Individuals with a dairy allergy must avoid all products that contain casein and whey and should opt for truly dairy-free, plant-based alternatives.

Conclusion

While the term "lactose-free" can be misleading, understanding its meaning is straightforward. Is LACTAID still considered dairy? Yes. It is a real dairy product that has been treated with the lactase enzyme to break down lactose, making it digestible for people with lactose intolerance. It is not, however, a substitute for a truly dairy-free product for those with milk allergies or for those who follow a vegan lifestyle. Always read product labels carefully and distinguish between lactose-free and dairy-free to make the right dietary choice for your health needs.

What is lactose-free milk?

Frequently Asked Questions

No, LACTAID is not suitable for a vegan diet because it is made from 100% real dairy milk. Vegans must avoid all products that come from animals, and milk is an animal product.

No, LACTAID is not safe for someone with a dairy allergy. A milk allergy is an immune reaction to the proteins in milk (casein and whey), which are still present in LACTAID products.

Yes, LACTAID milk contains milk proteins such as casein and whey. The lactase enzyme added to the milk only breaks down the milk sugar (lactose), not the milk proteins.

Lactose-free milk often tastes sweeter because the lactase enzyme has broken down the complex lactose sugar into simpler sugars, glucose and galactose, which our taste buds perceive as sweeter.

The main difference is that lactose-free means the milk sugar has been removed or broken down, but the product is still dairy. Dairy-free means there are no milk products at all, and the item is typically plant-based.

Yes, you can generally use LACTAID milk as a 1:1 substitute for regular cow's milk in most recipes, including baking and cooking, without significant differences in the outcome.

Yes, LACTAID milk provides the same nutritional benefits as regular milk, including calcium, protein, and vitamin D. The only significant difference is the reduced lactose content.