Lactose is milk sugar. Even though it is a carbohydrate rather than a protein, it comes from milk, so it is not vegan.
Made fromMilk sugar
Not the same asLactic acid (often vegan)
VerdictNot vegan
Where it hides
Milk chocolate and toffee
Baked goods and cereals
Some crisps and seasonings
Fillers in tablets and medicines
What it is
Lactose is the natural sugar in milk, made of glucose and galactose. It is separated from milk and used as a mild sweetener, bulking agent and carrier for flavours, and because its origin is milk it is not vegan, allergen lists included. One common mix-up is worth clearing up: lactose is not lactic acid, and lactic acid used in food is usually produced by fermenting plant sugars and is typically vegan.
Where it hides
Lactose is easy to miss because it reads like a plain sugar. It sweetens milk chocolate and toffee, softens baked goods, seasons some crisps, and, in its purest form, fills out countless tablets and capsules as an inactive ingredient. With casein and whey, it completes the dairy trio worth scanning any ingredient list for.
Casein and caseinateCasein is milk protein, and it turns up in surprising places, including some non-dairy creamers and a few plant-styled cheeses.
WheyWhey is the liquid left when milk curdles, dried into powder. It is milk, so it is not vegan, and it hides in more than protein shakes.
Frequently asked
Is lactic acid the same as lactose?
No. Despite the similar name, lactic acid is not milk sugar. Lactic acid in food is usually made by fermenting plant sugars such as corn or beet, and it is typically vegan, while lactose is milk-derived and is not.
Does lactose-free mean vegan?
No. Lactose-free dairy is still milk with the lactose broken down, so it is not vegan. Lactose-free only tells you about the sugar, not about the animal origin.
Definition of veganism · The Vegan Society, 2024 · vegan diet excludes all products derived from animals
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