Frequently Asked Questions

Lactose intolerance, also called lactose sensitivity, is the inability to digest a sugar called lactose that's found mainly in milk and dairy products. Normally, the small intestine produces an enzyme called lactase, which breaks down lactose into two simple sugars, glucose and galactose that can be absorbed into the bloodstream. People whose bodies don’t make enough lactase can't fully digest lactose, causing mild to uncomfortable side effects. Since our discomfort to dairy and lactose varies based on our bodies, people have varying degrees of lactose intolerance, or lactose sensitivity.

Some people have a higher chance of being lactose intolerant. Groups that are more susceptible include Hispanics, African Americans, Asians and people of Jewish descent. It also affects adults more than children, since our bodies produces less lactase enzyme as we age. Learn more on What Is Lactose Intolerance?

People with lactose intolerance may have the following symptoms after consuming dairy: upset stomach, gas, bloating, and diarrhea. Learn more about lactose intolerance signs and symptoms.

Lactose Intolerance can be genetic or environmental, and is caused by the body’s inability to produce lactase, the enzyme that digests lactose, the sugar found in milk. Early in life, the body generally produces plenty of lactase – which is very important for infants, since they get nearly all of their nutrition from milk.

In some people, the body begins to produce less lactase with age, causing complications in adulthood. If the body stops producing lactase altogether, digesting dairy products can cause great discomfort. Learn more about lactose intolerance causes here.

Lactose sensitivity has several causes, each of which may produce similar symptoms. If you suspect that milk is messing with you, we recommend first talking with your doctor.

We have a few resources throughout our website that may also be able to help you. Our quiz can help determine if lactose, the sugar in dairy, might be causing your discomfort. In addition, we have an at-home test that can also provide you with a better understanding if LACTAID® products are right for you.

A lactose sensitivity diagnosis can be difficult to determine through symptoms alone, as similar symptoms may be caused by other conditions, such as a milk allergy. The best way to confirm it is by consulting your doctor and determining which are the best tests to run for you. If you’re not lactose intolerant, testing can point to other conditions that may be causing your discomfort.

In preparation for your consultation with your doctor, here are a few options on tests you could explore. A lactose sensitivity test is a common self-test used to measure the absorption of lactose in the digestive system. You could also work with your doctor to administer a Hydrogen Breath Test to diagnose Lactose Intolerance. Lastly, you and your doctor may decide to monitor your symptoms at home for a short period of time to understand how your body copes with and without dairy products in your diet.

Everyone’s lactose sensitivity to dairy is different. People who produce small amounts of lactase (the enzyme that breaks down lactose) may be able to tolerate small servings of dairy products and/or other foods low in lactose. LACTAID® offers many lactose-free products, including milk and ice cream so you can still enjoy the dairy foods you love.

LACTAID® also offers lactase enzyme supplements to help you digest foods that do include lactose.

A milk allergy is often confused with lactose intolerance because some symptoms are similar, however, the two are very different. A milk allergy is a reaction by the immune system to proteins found in milk. Lactose intolerance affects the digestive system, when there’s an inadequate supply of the lactase enzyme to break down lactose.

Lactose intolerance is the inability to digest a sugar called lactose that’s found mainly in milk and dairy products. Normally, the small intestine produces an enzyme called lactase, which breaks down lactose into two simple sugars, glucose and galactose, which can be absorbed into the bloodstream. People whose bodies don’t make enough lactase can’t fully digest lactose, causing mild to uncomfortable side effects.

Talk to your doctor for personalized information and assistance in finding the best dietary approach for you.

Yes. Some children can be lactose intolerant too. If you suspect your child might be lactose intolerant, mention it to your doctor. Find out more about how milk can mess with kids too.

While there's no cure for lactose sensitivities, it can be easily managed. The best methods are to:

Be aware foods that contain lactose. Note that some dairy foods have less lactose and are better tolerated than others, such as yogurt and other fermented dairy products, and hard, aged cheeses. Use LACTAID® brand products to fully enjoy the dairy products you love without the discomfort.

We also offer LACTAID® dietary supplements to help you enjoy all the dairy foods you love anytime, anywhere. These supplement pills and chewable tablets contain lactase, an enzyme that your body may not naturally produce enough of to help you digest lactose. Take LACTAID® dietary supplement with your first bite or sip of dairy to prevent symptoms of gas, bloating and diarrhea.

Eating well with lactose intolerance, or general lactose sensitivity, doesn’t mean giving up dairy. It simply means knowing how to manage it, and planning ahead for eating out and social events.

You’ll want to read up on how much lactose is found in common dairy products, and replace your favorites with the lactose-free version, such as LACTAID® milk, ice cream, and sour cream.

For those times when you’re at a restaurant or a party, and want to indulge—go ahead! Keep LACTAID® supplements handy, and take one with your first sip or bite of dairy.

Dairy doesn’t have to mess with you. Find out how to eat well, even when you’re lactose intolerant.

Great news: you don’t have to stop eating dairy. LACTAID® offers lactose-free milk, lactose-free ice cream, and lactose-free sour cream among other products. Enjoy your favorites without a second thought!

Don’t let lactose sensitivity or intolerance get in the way of eating the dairy-containing foods you love. LACTAID® Supplements pills and chewable tablets make dairy easier to digest so you can enjoy your favorite foods anytime, anywhere*. Keep them with you when you’re on the go so that you’ll always be ready to eat any meal with dairy. LACTAID® Dietary Supplement pills and chewable tablets can be taken every day and should be taken with your first bite or sip of dairy. Learn more on how LACTAID® supplements work.

*This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

LACTAID® products contain lactase, an enzyme that your body may not naturally produce enough of. It works to help break down lactose – the sugar found in dairy foods like milk, ice cream or cheese—into two simple sugars (galactose and glucose) that are easily digested. If not properly digested, lactose can cause gas, bloating, cramps, and/or diarrhea. LACTAID® products can help people who have a sensitivity to dairy due to lactose digest dairy products without discomfort. Learn more about how Lactaid products are made.

A serving of dairy is approximately 1 cup (8 fl. oz.) of milk, 1 ½ oz. of cheese, or 8 oz. of yogurt. According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, your daily intake of dairy will depend on a few different factors, like your age, weight, and physical activity level¹ ? We recommend checking with your doctor on the best daily intake for you.

¹MyPlate. (2020). Dairy. MyPlate. Retrieved from https://www.myplate.gov/eat-healthy/dairy.

LACTAID® products may be used by anyone who has difficulty digesting the lactose in dairy foods. Pregnant or nursing women should always discuss what should be in their diet, including dairy foods, with their doctor.

LACTAID® products are real dairy, enriched with lactase, which means that the lactose is already broken down. They’re delicious and easy to digest!

For ingredient listings on individual LACTAID® products, please visit each product’s individual page to learn more. To start, you can find all of our products here and then click the product you want to learn more about.

LACTAID® milk tastes like other brands of milk, although some people find it to be slightly sweeter. This is because the lactose is already broken down into two easily digested sugars, which are sweeter.

Yes! LACTAID® milk is 100% real milk. LACTAID® milk contains all the nutrients found in regular milk—such as calcium, Vitamins A, D and B12, potassium, riboflavin and protein. To learn more about lactose-free milk, click here.

No. LACTAID® milk comes from cows not treated with artificial growth hormones (rbGH/rbST). No significant difference has been shown between milk derived from rBST-treated and non-rBST-treated cows.

LACTAID® milk is ultra-pasteurized, which allows the milk to last longer under proper refrigeration. Ultra-pasteurization does not affect the taste or nutritional value of the milk. Once opened, LACTAID® milk should be consumed within one week for the best taste.

Absolutely! LACTAID® milk is real milk, so it can be used for both cooking and baking. For recipe ideas, check out the LACTAID® Recipe Collection, and to learn how to use LACTAID® product in your own recipes, check out our substitutions recommendations.

Our calcium-fortified milk contains 20% more of the Daily Value of calcium – so that you can get 100% of the recommended daily allowance in just two glasses! Learn more about LACTAID® calcium-enriched milk products.

You can freeze LACTAID® milk—however, we don’t recommend it.

LACTAID® Dietary Supplements should be used every time you eat foods containing dairy. They can be taken every day, with every meal, and should be taken with your first bite or sip of dairy. Take as directed on package. If you continue to eat foods containing dairy after 30–45 minutes, take another supplement serving.

You should take LACTAID® Dietary Supplements with the first bite or sip of dairy for the best results. Taking them too soon, or too late after consuming dairy, makes them less effective.

For best results, we recommend taking LACTAID® Dietary Supplement pills or LACTAID® Fast Act Chewable Tablets before your first bite of dairy.

If you continue to eat foods containing dairy after 30 to 45 minutes, we recommend taking an additional supplement serving.

LACTAID® Dietary Supplement products have different instructions depending on their strength so always be sure to check the back of pack! For LACTAID® Original Supplement Tablets and Caplets, we recommend taking 3 caplets with your first bite of dairy. For LACTAID® Fast Act Chewable Tablets, we recommend taking 1 to 2 caplets with your first bite or sip of dairy. If you continue to eat foods containing dairy after 30-45 minutes, we recommend taking another supplement serving.

LACTAID® Dietary Supplements may be used every time you eat foods containing dairy. LACTAID® Dietary Supplements can be used with every meal and snack containing dairy, every day.

Children 4 years of age and older may use the supplements every day, whenever they eat foods containing dairy. Learn more about lactose intolerance in children and how milk can mess with kids, too.

LACTAID® Dietary Supplements contain lactase, an enzyme that your body may not naturally produce enough of. LACTAID® Dietary supplements help to break down the lactose in dairy foods.

LACTAID® Supplements contain a lactase enzyme that your body may not naturally produce enough of. It works in harmony with your body to help you digest dairy.

Each LACTAID® Dietary Supplements product has different instructions, and we recommend checking the back of pack. For LACTAID® Original, we recommend taking 3 caplets with your first bite of dairy. For LACTAID® Fast Act Supplement caplets, take 1 to 2 caplets with your first bite of dairy. For LACTAID® Fast Act Chewables, chew 1 to 2 chewable supplements with your first bite of dairy.

Yes. LACTAID® Dietary Supplements contain lactase, an enzyme that your body may not naturally produce enough of. They are digested along with your food, and do not stay in the body. LACTAID® Dietary Supplements should be taken according to package instructions.

At LACTAID®, we believe that eating dairy should be fun and enjoyable. Our lactose-free dairy products have all the same nutrients and protein as regular dairy, but without the lactose.

The LACTAID® brand offers a range of products made with real dairy, just without the lactose, including milk and ice cream. In addition, we offer LACTAID® Dietary Supplement pills and chewable tablets that help make dairy foods easy to digest. They come in caplet or chewable form.

All LACTAID® products are kosher certified by the Orthodox Union and can be used year round, except during Passover.

Most LACTAID® products do not contain gluten. The only LACTAID® products that do contain gluten are LACTAID® Cookies & Cream Ice Cream, LACTAID® Peanut Butter Pie Ice Cream, LACTAID® Cookie Dough Ice Cream and LACTAID® Salted Caramel Ice Cream.

Since LACTAID® products are real dairy, without the lactose, you shouldn’t experience any side effects. If you continue to experience symptoms like diarrhea, bloating, gas, or stomach upset, you should contact your doctor, as you may have another condition. Learn more about the common causes of dairy sensitivity.

LACTAID® supplements, when used as directed, should not cause any side effects like constipation or diarrhea. Please read the label before use. Find out more about LACTAID® supplements.

Have you tried our store locator to find where to buy LACTAID® products in your area? If you don’t see the LACTAID® product you are searching for, ask your store manager so they can order it. Stores often start carrying a product if their customers request it. Try our store locator.

If you don’t see the LACTAID® product you are searching for, ask your store manager so they can order it. Stores often start carrying a product if their customers request it.

We are sorry to inform you that this product has been discontinued. This discontinuation only affects LACTAID™ yogurt. Our other lactose-free dairy products are still available. Please check our "Where to Buy" page to find LACTAID® dairy products near you!

We are sorry to inform you that this product has been discontinued. This discontinuation only affects LACTAID® Lowfat 70% Lactose Free Milk. Our other lactose-free dairy products are still available. Please check our "Where to Buy" page to find another LACTAID® Milk option that’s right for you at your favorite retailer.

Some of our flavors are special edition flavors, and to keep flavors new and exciting, we switch out our special edition flavor from time to time. We are thrilled that you can enjoy our new limited-edition flavor, Strawberry Cheesecake, in its stead!

Strawberry Cheesecake not your favorite? Check out our current flavors here.

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