Lactose
What is Lactose?
Lactose is a natural sugar found in milk and dairy products. It is a disaccharide, meaning it is made of two simpler sugars, glucose and galactose. It is typically extracted from whey, a byproduct of cheesemaking.
Is Lactose vegan?
No. Lactose is animal-derived, so it is not vegan.
Is Lactose a major allergen?
Lactose is derived from milk, which is one of the nine major food allergens identified by the FDA.
What is Lactose used for?
Manufacturers add lactose to foods as a sweetener, a filler, and to improve texture and browning.
Is Lactose safe?
Lactose is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA.
Why it's used
Manufacturers add lactose to foods as a sweetener, a filler, and to improve texture and browning. It is commonly found in baked goods, processed foods, infant formula, and some dairy products.
Health notes
Lactose is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA. Many individuals, especially adults, experience lactose intolerance because their bodies do not produce enough of the enzyme lactase to digest it. This can lead to digestive discomfort. JECFA has not set an acceptable daily intake (ADI) for lactose, as it is a natural component of milk rather than a food additive.
Allergen info
Lactose is derived from milk, which is one of the nine major food allergens identified by the FDA.
Foods that contain Lactose
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