Alisa Fleming ~ Terminology can be a confusing thing when you are trying to really understand what is dairy free. For the purposes of using Go Dairy Free, I define dairy free as “free from milk-based ingredients.” This includes casein, whey, lactose, and even milk fat. It does not, however, include eggs. For more information, see this post on why eggs are not classified as dairy.
Products labeled as “dairy-free” or “vegan” should always be dairy-free by ingredients, but check the ingredient statement as errors do happen! Non-dairy is another story though. Non-dairy products may or may not be free of milk-based ingredients. To understand why, read the following post: Does my non-dairy food contain dairy?
For those with a very severe dairy allergy or intolerance, even trace amounts of milk protein or sugar may cause a reaction. In product manufacturing, “dairy-free” products may be cross-contaminated with trace amounts of dairy due to the use of shared equipment. Fortunately, for most dairy-free consumers, this is not an issue. However, for those with a severe allergy or intolerance, always consider cross-contamination potential. Contact the corresponding manufacturers directly to verify product safety before consuming.
For more help in understanding what is dairy free and what isn’t, enjoy the following resources:
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