Updated September 2024
People with cow’s milk (dairy) allergy are allergic to the protein in milk. Milk allergy is one of the most common food allergies in childhood, affecting more than 2% of children aged 12 months in Australia. Milk allergy is one of the more difficult to manage food allergies in children.
In the past, most children would outgrow their milk allergy before starting school, but increasing numbers now outgrow their milk allergy much later. A small number of adults have milk allergy.
If a person has a cow’s milk allergy, another source of calcium, energy and protein is required for adequate nutrition and growth. Speak to a doctor or dietitian for advice.
Most people with cow’s milk allergy also have an allergy to goat’s milk and milk from other animals, as the proteins causing the allergic reaction are very similar. People with milk allergy cannot eat any dairy products. This includes animal milks and also cheese, ice cream, yoghurt, butter and cream.
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Some people with milk allergy can have milk that is baked or cooked in muffins, cakes or biscuits. Speak to your allergist about whether you can have baked or cooked milk.
A note about dark chocolate: Due to manufacturing processes dark chocolate can contain unintentional milk. Please do not assume dark chocolate is safe for people with milk allergy. Please see our cross contamination alert for more detail.
A note about coconut products: People with milk allergy should be careful when purchasing products containing coconut imported from Southeast Asia such as coconut milk, drinks, cream and powders due to the risk of cross contamination with cow’s milk. When they are eating out, they should also ask if menu items contain coconut products. Coconut products using Australian and Pacific Island coconut products are less likely to contain unintended milk, although it is still advised for people with a milk allergy to ask manufacturers about the risk of cross contamination with cow’s milk.
What foods and products contain milk?
Avoidance of milk is important if you have a milk allergy. Milk can be found in many foods and as an ingredient in many products. Download our food allergen card to your phone or print and place on your refrigerator at home. This allergen card contains examples of the foods and products that may have milk.
People with a milk allergy should always check vegan products and not assume that they are safe. Vegan products do not have to be ‘milk free’ and may contain unintended milk through cross contamination.
In Australia, under the Food Standards Code the following products made from milk is not required to have mandatory allergen labelling. This is because they have been processed in a way that is suitable and safe for someone with a milk allergy to consume.
- Distilled alcohol from whey does not have to declare milk.
REMEMBER: You cannot tell what ingredients foods contain by looking at them, smelling them or tasting them. ALWAYS read labels when eating packaged food and when eating out, ALWAYS tell people preparing and serving food you have a food allergy. ASK about food content after you have told them about your food allergy.
To make eating out a little easier, A&AA has developed a chef card. You can write or print your allergens on the card. When telling the wait staff at a cafe or restaurant about your allergies, hand over your chef card and ask it to come back with your specially prepared meal.
Milk allergy is different to lactose intolerance
Cow’s milk allergy is different to lactose intolerance. People with lactose intolerance feel unwell when they have dairy products with lactose because they cannot digest the lactose. Lactose intolerance does not cause a life-threatening allergic reaction.
People with milk allergy cannot eat dairy products that are lactose free. Lactose free products still contain cow’s milk protein.
People with milk allergy can be at risk of anaphylaxis if they have foods and other mouth care products such as medicated toothpaste and chewing gum containing milk protein, even if the milk is lactose-free. This is because lactose is a sugar, not a protein, so lactose-free products still contain the milk protein that people are allergic to.
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