Quick-Check Label Guide: 25 Hidden Dairy Ingredients
This is your one-page, no-nonsense reference to catch sneaky milk ingredients in everyday foods. Print it, pin it on the fridge, and share it with anyone managing lactose intolerance.
📄 How to Print: Press Ctrl+P (Windows) or Cmd+P (Mac), then click "Print" or "Save as PDF". This guide is optimized for printing.
🚫 Hidden Dairy Ingredients
- Casein / Caseinate (sodium, calcium)
- Whey / Whey Protein Concentrate
- Lactalbumin / Lactoglobulin
- Butterfat / Milkfat
- Curds
- Ghee
- Hydrolyzed Milk Protein
- Milk Solids
- Milk Powder
- Rennet Casein
- Artificial Butter Flavor
- Caramel Color (may use lactose base)
- Lactose
- Nougat
- Whey Solids
- Yogurt Powder
- Cheese Flavor / Enzyme Modified Cheese
- Creamer (non-dairy but contains sodium caseinate)
- Natural Flavor (contains milk derivatives)
- Chocolate / Cocoa Mixes (often milk-based)
- Lactitol (milk-derived sweetener)
- Curdled Milk / Sour Milk
- Custard Base
- Protein Blend (check source!)
- Whey Isolate / Hydrolysate
💡 Quick Label Tips
- "Non-dairy" ≠ dairy-free. It often hides sodium caseinate.
- Ingredients are listed by weight — milk products usually appear early.
- Watch for parenthesis (e.g., "protein (milk)")—it's a giveaway.
- Cross-check confusing terms on IngredientDetective.com.
🧭 Keep Exploring
Learn how ingredient transparency works at IngredientDetective.com — a partner site dedicated to decoding additives and hidden allergens.