Lactose-Free Powdered Milk 101

Let’s talk powdered milk, lactose-free.

So you might ask, how exactly is the lactose removed from powdered milk to make it lactose free?

Well, the most common way is for food makers to add lactase to regular cow’s milk. Lactase is an enzyme that breaks down lactose, helping folks who are lactose-intolerant digest the milk. So technically speaking, lactose-free powdered milk still contains lactose—it is the addition of the enzyme that enables manufacturers to call it lactose-free.

Why use lactose-free powdered milk? Well, since it doesn’t have to be refrigerated, it is great for camping and other outdoor adventures. And yes, you can use this powdered milk in recipes.

We should note that some of the lactose-free powdered milk we tried is designed more as a beverage, with added sugar and other ingredients. That is less ideal for cooking, of course. That said, some folks prefer the taste of sweetened lactose-free powdered milk to regular version.

So after doing a blind taste test with several major brands, here are the ones we think are best.

 

About the Authors

Denise & Alan Fields are consumer advocates and best-selling authors. The Fields have authored 12 books with three million copies in print, including the best-selling guide to baby gear, Baby Bargains.

The Fields have been featured and quoted in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and Los Angeles Times.

As consumer products experts, the Fields have been guests on the NBC Today Show, Good Morning America and ABC’s 20/20.

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We often turn to our readers (3 million strong!) to find products to recommend. We ask our parent readers for their favorites and consider their real-world experiences in our recommendations.

When we test a product, we always purchase it with our own monies. We do not take free samples, as we believe that compromises our independence.

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We’ve been rating and reviewing products for the home and families since 1994. We do extensive research, evaluating products with an eye toward quality, ease of use and affordability.

We make our living from affiliate commissions, but we always recommend what we think are the best bets for our readers (not the ones that are the most expensive). We are always looking for products that offer the best bang for the buck.

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