Dairy Allergy

Milk Allergy

Cow’s milk allergy is the most common food allergy in infants and young children.  It occurs more frequently in infants who are fed cow’s milk formula than in babies who are breast-fed or who are fed hypoallergenic or a less allergenic infant formula.  Sensitivity to cow’s milk varies greatly from person to person.  Some people have a severe reaction after exposure to a tiny amount of milk.  Others have only a mild reaction after ingesting a moderate amount of milk or dairy products. 

Most children outgrow eventually outgrow cow’s milk allergy.  The allergy is most likely to persist in children who have high levels of cow’s milk antibodies in their blood.  Blood tests that measure these antibodies can help your allergist determine whether or not your child is likely to outgrow a milk allergy.

Some people confuse milk allergy with lactose intolerance.  Unlike food allergies, food intolerances do not involve the immune system.  People who are lactose intolerant are missing the enzyme lactase, which breaks down lactose, a sugar found in milk and dairy products.  As a result, lactose-intolerant patients are unable to digest these foods, and may experience symptoms such as nausea, cramps, gas, bloating, and diarrhea. While lactose intolerance can cause great discomfort, it is not life-threatening.     

How to Avoid Cow’s Milk*
The federal Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA) requires that any packaged food product that contains milk as an ingredient must list the word “Milk” on the label.  Please be sure to read all product labels carefully before purchasing and consuming any item. Remember, also, that ingredients change from time to time, so check labels every time you shop.  If you are still not sure whether or not a product contains milk, call the manufacturer. Always take extra precaution when dining in restaurants or eating foods prepared by others. If you are in doubt about any product or dish, don’t eat it.

Milk protein is found in all dairy products, including milk, butter, cheese, cream, custard, yogurt, ice cream, and puddings.  The following ingredients indicate the presence of milk protein:
Artificial butter flavor, butter fat, and butter oil
Casein and caseinates (in all forms)
Cheese flavor
Curds
Ghee
Hydrolysates (casein, milk protein, protein, whey, whey protein)
Lactalbumin, lactalbumin phosphate, lactoglobulin, lactoferrin, lactulose
Nougat
Rennet, rennet casein
Recaldent™, used in tooth-whitening chewing gums
Simplesse®
Whey (in all forms)

• Milk protein may be found in numerous manufactured products, including many margarines, breads, cookies, cakes, chewing gum, cold cuts, crackers, cereals, non-dairy products, processed and canned meats, and frozen and refrigerated soy products.
• Many frozen and refrigerated soy-based products are manufactured on dairy equipment and run the risk of cross-contact with milk protein.
• Sheep’s and goat’s milk are not considered safe for people with cow’s milk allergy, as most cow’s milk-allergic individuals are also allergic to these milks.
• Shellfish is occasionally dipped in milk to reduce the fishy odor.   Please ask if there is any risk of milk contact when purchasing shellfish.
• Kosher Dairy:  A “D” or the word “dairy” following the circled K or U on a product label indicates the presence of milk protein or a risk of milk protein contamination.  These products should be avoided.
• Kosher Pareve:  A product labeled “pareve” is considered milk-free under kosher dietary law.  However, a food product may be considered pareve even if it contains a very small amount of milk protein—potentially enough to cause an allergic reaction in susceptible individuals.  Do not assume that pareve products are always safe.

Ingredients that do not contain milk are:
Cocoabutter, coconut milk, calcium lactate, calcium stearoyl lactylate, oleoresein, cream of tartar, sodium stearoyl lactylate, and lactic acid (although lactic acid starter culture may contain milk).

Nutrition
Milk is an important dietary source of protein, calcium, vitamin D and vitamin B12.  Please discuss a safe dietary alternative to cow’s milk with your doctor or dietitian.

Dairy Free Snacks Ideas:
 
all fresh fruit all veggies
Fruits (original & BBQ)
Ritz (reg. & whole wheat)
original Lays
original Sunchips
original club crackers
Kroger brand waffle pretzels
Triscuits (origional,rosemary cracked pepper)
Nabisco teddy grahams
Nature Valley trail mixfruit and nut bar
Nature Valley crunchy granola bar (maple brown sugar,PB and honey)
Oreos (original double stuffed mint and chocolate)
 
NOTE ** Ingredients change without warning so always check lables