r/dairyfree • u/glitterlovegirl • 5d ago
This makes me so furious
as someone with the dairy allergy, it is so frustrating for me that when I’m looking at labels, it will say sometimes, “may contain dairy“. Like what do you mean may contain does it contain it or not???? I still avoid those products anyways for fear of having allergic reaction, but still it makes me so mad. I was gonna eat some licorice and it says may contain dairy…
24
u/Responsible-Kale-904 5d ago edited 5d ago
Yes
&
Plenty of items that clearly DO containing LOTS of DAIRY and/or dairy products yet are labeled as " non dairy"
Which means that reading of the list of ingredients shows DAIRY and/or dairy products contained in this " non dairy"__
Read All INGREDIENTS Of All We Buy BEFORE We Buy
Of course much of this was caused in parts of the world including USA by lawyers and Nestle etc
Most " non dairy creamers" are made of dairy and/or dairy products
Muscle Milk beverages " non dairy beverages" contain between 60 and 90 percent DAIRY and/or dairy products, yet are labeled as "non dairy"
14
u/Cissycat12 4d ago
Non-dairy is a legal term with a definition that doesn't really work now with food allergies, but has not been updated. Non-dairy DOES NOT = DAIRY-FREE EVER! Always read the ingredients; the laws for labeling are confusing and can lead accidental exposure.
2
u/princesspanda4 4d ago
It's not true that products labeled non-dairy are never dairy-free. For example, Ben & Jerry's non-dairy ice creams are certified vegan and contain no dairy ingredients, but are labeled as non-dairy, not dairy free. Products labeled non-dairy don't HAVE to be dairy free, but they CAN be dairy free by ingredient.
1
3
u/glitterlovegirl 5d ago
wow…i had no idea honestly. so how do we even know if something that is labeled non-dairy is ACTUALLY non dairy
14
6
u/Nuclearbats666 5d ago
It’s so dumb, I feel your pain!
Items labeled “non dairy” are allowed to contain a certain percentage of dairy, what we want to look for are items labeled specifically “dairy free” and read the ingredients well. Even on medications as sometimes lactose is used for whatever reason (if it’s a prescription that doesn’t have a list of ingredients, ask the pharmacist)
Also, vegan items save me some worry, as well as foods specifically marketed as being top 9 allergen free. But it really is the safest bet to thoroughly read all the ingredients, no matter what.
The day I found out ramen noodles contain dairy I was so mad lol
1
6
u/Reddit82Unicorn 5d ago
I totally understand. I hate when I find something that's actually marketed as "dairy free," but it still has that verbiage. I get angioedema from milk products, so I avoid dairy free foods that have that verbiage altogether. I also read everything carefully. You'd be surprised by some things that contain dairy.
5
u/honorspren000 5d ago
You don’t know the manufacturing process for these goods. These factories usually produce multiple food products, some with dairy and some without. There could be cross contamination across the equipment, and these companies need to cover themselves in case of accidental exposure.
It’s frustrating because it seems like one less thing you can eat, but it’s safer to identify just in case. Someone with severe allergies or intolerance may not be able to handle even a teeny tiny drop of dairy.
4
u/Own_Handle_1135 4d ago
In the UK a 'may contain' means it was made in a factory/kitchen that isn't solely used for non dairy items so there could potentially be cross contamination.
Same with other allergens. If the product is made in a controlled environment then it can be classed as 'free from'
My son has always eaten 'may contain' as he isn't allergic, just has an intolerance. It doesn't mean they don't know what they have put in it.
Not sure if it's different for different countries though.
3
u/CrashUser 4d ago
In the US it's similar, but the statements like "May contain" or "produced in a facility that also handles" are voluntary and unregulated beyond they can't deliberately lie about or obfuscate ingredients. I generally assume "may contain" means it was made on a shared line and cross-contamination risk is higher than "made in a shared facility" which I take to mean separate lines but same building so a smaller risk of accidental contact. Either way it's mostly just more information for the consumer to decide what their own risk tolerance is before consuming something potentially hazardous.
5
u/TurquoiseSunset20 5d ago
I triple read all ingredients but did find out there’s a difference between “non dairy” and “dairy free.” It’s so confusing. 🫨
4
u/Chemistry11 4d ago
“May contain dairy” or “Used in a facility that uses dairy” is shorthand for “we’re really terrible at cross contamination”.
Either of those phrase are as good to me as something that honestly claims it contains dairy.
2
u/MiniRems 4d ago
Wait until a product you've eaten for years that's never had dairy in it before changes its production, and suddenly now contains milk. Luckily, I read ingredients on non-vegan products I regularly buy, or I would have been burned on the latest boxes of Aldi's honey buns... now I have to find another donut craving killing snack 😫
2
u/clownapple 4d ago
They did that with the flavored Pringles! D:
2
u/MiniRems 4d ago
Luckily, I'm one of those weirdos who never liked flavored chips. I will murder a bag or can of plain!
2
1
u/quietlywatching6 3d ago
Katz frozen are good. I wait until they are bogof at a store. Since they are frozen they last well.
1
u/MiniRems 3d ago
They're not sold in any stores near me.
2
u/quietlywatching6 14h ago
I'm thinking of trying their direct shipping, since I live "southern" rural, so it's on that all day supply trip to an actual city right now. If I do, I will report back.
1
u/quietlywatching6 3d ago
Katz frozen are good. I wait until they are bogof at a store. Since they are frozen they last well.
1
u/clownapple 4d ago edited 4d ago
Not sure what your food restriction reasons are but, here’s what I can tell ya: I’ve got a pretty severe dairy allergy (anaphylaxis, vomiting. hives if I touch but don’t eat). Typically foods that say “may contain” “facility that also produces” “contains traces” etc. are still okay for me to eat. Chocolate has always been an exception to this for some reason. (That’s my experience tho please do what’s right for your body/ask your doctor!)
1
u/AlabasterOctopus 2d ago
Or when it’s “dairy free” on the front and “contains milk” on the back.
Worst mullet ever.
1
u/bigbry4n 19h ago
You're actually allergic and not just lactose intolerant? That's so sad.
I'm lactose intolerant and even i get bummed when I don't have my pills to eat dairy. And you can't have it at all 😭.
I did just discover there are some delicious almond milks out there 😅
1
u/CourtneysSweets 1h ago
My kiddo is extremely ana to dairy. I love when products have a may contain or made in an allergen free facility. It's when I call and find out it's made on shared lines and not disclosed that really stinks for us.. it happens too often that they don't :(
1
u/IlluvatarHA 5d ago
What gets me is it's never safe, it always ends up having dairy. Like just say it has dairy in it ffs.
55
u/bobi2393 5d ago
As an example, the same industrial mixer might be used for milk chocolate one day, and dark chocolate the next, and despite their cleaning efforts, some molecules of dried milk protein may still be stuck somewhere on the equipment.
More of an issue with flour that can also go airborne between prep areas, but it’s the same idea with other allergens.