Organic Valley's lactose free milk is delicious and nutritious organic milk with the natural enzyme lactase added. Lactase breaks down the milk-sugar lactose into the more easily digestible sugars galactose and glucose. The lactase we add is similar to the lactase created by the body during normal digestion of dairy products. After the lactose is broken down to galactose and glucose, the milk is sometimes perceived as having a slightly sweeter flavor profile.

Organic whole milk from our pasture-fed cows is skimmed to the desired fat level, and then the enzyme "lactase" is added to the milk and slowly mixed for 24 hours. We derive our lactase enzyme from the dairy yeast Kluyveromyces. It takes a minimum of 24 hours for the lactase enzyme to break down the lactose. Samples of the milk are tested to ensure the lactose is reduced to a "lactose free" state, and then the milk is ultra-pasteurized.

There are no specific federal regulations governing lactose free labeling. We believe the statement "lactose free" should meet a threshold lower than 0.5 grams per serving. Lactose tests cannot guarantee zero lactose. The test we utilize typically has a 0.1% detection limit, and does not allow us to detect lactose contents below that level. Where to Buy | Reading Room | FAQ | Farmer Support | Contact Us | General Store | Resources

Our cooperative produces lactose free milk so the health benefits of organic milk are available to lactose intolerant individuals. An estimated 25% of Americans are unable to digest lactose. Lactose intolerance is particularly common in non-European ethnic populations. As people age, they produce less lactase. Lactose intolerance occurs in children as well, but not as frequently. Organic Valley produces the only organic lactose free milk on the market today.

Lactose intolerant individuals can enjoy the health benefits of drinking real organic milk from pasture-fed cows, and don't need to seek out dairy alternatives. Drinking organically produced milk offers optimal nutritional value, reduces exposure to synthetic chemicals, and supports healthier food production in our country. Up to 78% of Americans are believed to be calcium deficient-organic milk is an excellent source of easily absorbed calcium.

Organic Valley lactose free milk can be used in all the same ways other milk is used. Drink a glass of rich, creamy lactose free milk as a satisfying snack, with a meal, or have it with a bowl of cereal. Lactose free milk can also be used in lactose free sauces, salad dressings, and desserts.

Ultra pasteurized milks, should be stored cold (below 40 degrees). Proper storage of these milks is very important because the conversion of lactose sugar to glucose and galactose makes these milks more sensitive to variations in storage temperature.

We introduce the natural enzyme lactase into the milk. Lactase breaks down lactose into more easily digestible glucose and galactose.

Yes. All natural mammalian milks, including human milk, contain lactose (milk sugar). However, many lactose intolerant people are able to tolerate goat milk. It has been suggested that the reason for this lies in its superior digestibility. Quickly passing through the digestive tract, goat milk leaves less undigested residue behind in the colon to ferment and cause the unpleasant symptoms of lactose intolerance.

Lactose intolerance is the inability to digest significant amounts of lactose, which is the predominant sugar in milk. In lactose free products, the lactose is converted into two simple sugars that the body of someone with lactose intolerance can easily digest. Thus, they can still enjoy the same milk product without the discomfort.

Milk contains a sugar called lactose. In order to digest lactose, the body must produce a special enzyme called lactase. If the body doesn't produce enough lactase, the undigested lactose can cause gas, nausea, cramps, and diarrhea. This is lactose intolerance. Certain groups are more prone to lactose intolerance: Blacks, Native Americans, Asians, the elderly, and the sick.

The Medifast Protein bars, Ready-to Drink products, Take Shape Shakes and Fast Soups are all lactose free. Medifast 55 and Medifast 70 shakes are considered low-lactose products as each shake contains only one gram of lactose per serving. The FDA allows the claim "lactose free" for any product that contains less than 0.5 grams of lactose per serving.

Lactobacillus denotes ”lactic acid producing” or “acid loving.” The term “Lacto” does not indicate a relation to lactose or dairy, as is commonly misunderstood. Lactose may be used in the medium to grow the probiotic culture; however, this is completely removed from the final product. Our probiotic formula, Plantadophilus, is lactose-free, and prefers a pH of 6.5 to 6.8. [back to top]

All imported cheeses: Swiss, Light Swiss, Oltermanni Baby Muenster, Havarti, Muenster, Gouda and Black Label Swiss. Swiss, Light Swiss and Muenster loaves are sold behind the glass in the service deli. Swiss, Light Swiss, Havarti, Muenster and Gouda are also sold presliced and prepackaged in the self-service deli. All five varieties of our presliced cheeses are also sold in stick form on the cheese table in the self-service deli. Oltermanni Baby Muenster is also available in a 1lb.

Certified organic milk is put into a tank at a very low level, about 200ppm (0.02%) of lactase enzyme is added. Over the next 24 hours the lactase breaks down the lactose sugar into glucose and galactose. Every gram of lactose is broken down into ½ gram glucose and ½ gram galactose so the carbohydrate content of the milk stays the same.

GrainShop High Fibre Crisp and Weetabix are milk and lactose free. Alpen contains skim milk powder and whey powder. Click here to go through to the Weetabix Brands section where nutrition information for all our products is listed.

Natrel Lactose Free is now available in Ontario in a 1% and 2% 2L carton as well as skim 1% and 2% 1L cartons.

People who are sensitive to dairy products are usually sensitive to either lactose (the sugar naturally present in milk) or to the milk protein. Products that are called "Lactose Free" do not contain any milk sugar, but they may contain isolated, lactose-free milk protein as caseinate. quot;Dairy Free" products do not contain lactose or milk proteins.

There are no international regulations to determine "lactose free". Valio Ltd (the parent company of Finlandia Cheese) is using a "lactose free" claim, when lactose cannot be found in the product (f. ex. cheese). Valio is using the best possible method (ion chromatographic method) to analyze lactose. The resolution for the method is 0.01%, which means that we can find 100 ppm (parts per million) of lactose from cheese.

Milk allergies are an abnormal response by the body to milk protein. Lactose intolerance is the body's inability to digest lactose, the sugar in milk. Allergies to milk are rare, while lactose intolerance is not. A food allergy is an abnormal response of the body's immune system to ordinarily harmless foods or ingredients -- in this case, milk protein. An estimated 1-3% of infants and young children have milk allergy, but usually outgrow it by two or three years of age.

No. An allergy to cow's milk is an allergic reaction to the protein found in milk. The condition is rare, occurring in only 2 - 3% of infants, and even less often in adults. A high percentage of people allergic to cow's milk are also allergic to other animals' milk (Goat's milk) and soy beverages. They also tend to have a history of allergies in their family. Lactose intolerance is the inability to digest significant amounts of lactose - the predominant sugar found in milk.

Chocolate milk may be more easily digested than unflavored milk in people with lactose intolerance. In fact, most individuals with a limited ability to break down lactose can drink two cups of any type of milk a day when consumed in small servings or with other foods. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Agriculture. Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2005. 6th Edition, Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, January 2005. Johnson, et al.

Lactose (milk sugar), like lactulose, is used to treat constipation. However, milk sugar is not very effective and needs to be administered in relatively high dosages (40 g). In addition, one dose of milk sugar has a lot of calories (160 kcal), triggers feelings of hunger, affects body weight and is unsuitable for diabetics. Lactose (milk sugar) is mostly resorbed in the small intestine. Duphalac® is also suitable for treating children.

Lactose is a sugar which occurs naturally in milk and is called "milk sugar." It's the least sweet of all the natural sugars and is used commercially in foods such as baby formulas and candies.

These products do have lactose: 5-Cheese Fiesta chips, Guacamole Chips, Salsa con Queso. As far as our other products, the facilities that produce chips carry ingredients that have lactose in them. These are used on the same lines where lactose-free products are made.