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If you are avoiding dairy products for health reasons or for strict religious or ethical reasons, identifying and avoiding hidden sources of dairy becomes a very big issue. While some dairy products are easy to spot (like milk, cheese, and butter), others are a bit more cryptic.
Not What They Seem
Anyone who is serious about avoiding dairy should invest in a pocket guide that lists the most common hidden dairy ingredients. Having this information with you when you shop will help you choose the products that are safe for you to eat. Here is just a short list of the most common ingredients that sound innocent enough, but actually contain dairy.
- Artificial Butter Flavor
- Casein/Caseinates
- Hydrolysates
- Lactalbumin
- Lactulose
When in Doubt, Go to the Source
If you run across an ingredient that you’re not sure about and don’t want to take a chance, you can always call the manufacturer of the item. Most companies are happy to communicate with consumers about what’s in their products.
With new packaging conventions calling for companies to list common allergens on product labels, we may someday be able to identify dairy-containing products with just a glance. Until then, staying away from dairy requires a little bit of effort on your part.