Updated March 2025
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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 babies in Australia. Milk allergy is one of the more difficult food allergies to manage because milk is found in many foods and is hard to avoid.
In the past, most children would outgrow their milk allergy before starting school, but increasing numbers now outgrow their milk allergy much later, and milk allergy can remain for life.
Some people with milk allergy can have milk that is baked or cooked in muffins, cakes or biscuits. Speak to your allergy specialist about whether you can eat baked or cooked milk.
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Signs of a mild to moderate allergic reaction include:
- Swelling of the lips, face, eyes
- Hives or welts
- Tingling mouth
- Abdominal pain, vomiting
Signs of a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) include:
- Difficulty or noisy breathing
- Swelling of the tongue
- Swelling in the throat (more drooling than normal, difficulty swallowing)
- Change in voice or cry
- Wheeze or persistent cough
- Pale and floppy
Information on how to manage allergic reactions can be found here.
If a person has a cow’s milk allergy, another source of calcium, energy and protein is required for good nutrition and growth. Speak to your doctor or allergy dietitian for advice.
What foods and products contain milk?
Avoidance of milk and dairy products which are made from milk is important if you have a milk allergy.
In Australia and New Zealand, the food law (Food Standards Code) requires the mandatory declaration of the common allergy causing foods. As milk is a common allergen, milk must be written in bold in the ingredient list on packaged food if it is an ingredient. See our food labelling page for further information.
Food and drinks to avoid if you have a milk allergy include:
- Cow’s milk and baby formula made from cow’s milk
- Other dairy products such as:
- Yoghurt
- Cheese
- Cream
- Ice cream
- Butter
- Ghee
Most people with cow’s milk allergy also have an allergy to milk and formula made from other animals such as goat, camel and sheep, as the proteins causing the allergic reaction are very similar.
Milk can be found in many foods and as an ingredient in many products such as baked goods, sauces, processed meats and confectionery. Download our milk 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 contain milk.
A note about vegan products: People with a milk allergy should always check the ingredient list and any allergen statements on products labelled ‘’vegan’’ and not assume that they are safe. Vegan products do not have to be ‘milk free’ and may contain milk through cross contamination. Go to our vegan page for more information.
A note about dark chocolate: Due to manufacturing processes, dark chocolate can contain milk even though milk has not been added as an ingredient. Please do not assume dark chocolate is safe for people with milk allergy. Go to our dark chocolate page for more information.
A note about mouth care products: Dental and mouthcare products, such as medicated toothpaste and chewing gum may contain milk. Sometimes milk in these products is listed by other names, such as casein, Casein-Phosphopeptide (CPP), Recaldent™, or CPP-ACP. Go to our anaphylaxis and your teeth page for more information.
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 milk allergy are allergic to the protein in milk and can react with a mild/moderate or a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis).
People with lactose intolerance feel unwell when they have dairy products with lactose because they cannot digest the lactose, which is a type of sugar. 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 do not contain lactose (a type of sugar) but still contain cow’s milk protein.
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