Avoiding dairy sounds simple – until you start reading ingredient lists. Milk proteins and by-products show up in places you’d never expect. From snacks to bread, candy, and even toothpaste. For people with dairy allergies or vegans, knowing the hidden terminology is crucial.
Why this matters?
Even tiny amounts of dairy can trigger:
- Allergic reactions for milk-allergic individuals
- Digestive distress for lactose-intolerant individuals
- Ethical concerns for vegans avoiding animal products
Learning these hidden names helps consumers shop confidently and safely.
How Keru App helps?
Keru App Tells You The Truth
Keru App tell you what is actually inside the products you use – from Food to Makeup, Skincare to Cleaning Supplies.
Manually reading labels for every product is tiring. Googling everything is boring. Keru App:
- Instantly flag milk-derived ingredients
- Warn when a term is ambiguous
- Educates about ingredients
A smarter way to shop – especially for vegans, parents, and people ith allergy.
Hidden Dairy Names – Top 24 Sneaky Dairy on Ingredient Labels
Here are the top 25 sneaky dairy names to watch out for when checking labels.
Most Common Hidden Dairy Ingredients
1. Casein – Milk protein often used in cheese alternatives and protein products.
2. Caseinate – Often disguised as Sodium Caseinate or Calcium Caseinate. It is found in coffee creamers and nutrition bars.
3. Whey – Frequent in baked goods and snacks.
4. Lactose – Milk sugar used in candies and processed foods.
5. Lactalbumin – A milk protein in infant formulas and shakes.
6. Lactoglobulin – Found in dairy-based supplements and desserts.
7. Milk Solids – Appears in chocolates, ice creams, and snacks.
8. Milk Powder (Skim or Whole)- Widely used in packaged foods.
9. Butter / Butterfat – Flavor enhancer in popcorn, sauces, etc.
10. Buttermilk – Improves texture in baked goods.
Names You Might Not Realize Are Dairy
11. Cream (Sour, Heavy, Whipped) – In dressings and non-dairy creamers too.
12. Curds – Direct milk product used in cheeses.
13. Cheese Cultures – Used even in “non-cheese” flavoring powders.
14. Rennet (animal-derived) – Used in cheese making.
15. Hydrolyzed Milk Protein – Hidden in processed foods and skincare.
16. Milk Protein Concentrate (MPC) – In sports and diet foods.
17. Recaldent® – Casein-based additive in chewing gum and toothpaste.
18. Albumin – Can be milk- or egg-derived; ambiguous warning needed.
19. Nougat – Almost always contains milk powder.
20. Artificial Butter Flavor – May come from milk derivatives.
Ingredients That Look Non-Dairy… But Aren’t
21. Ghee – Clarified butter often used in snacks and spreads.
22. Probiotics – Cultured using dairy starters in certain yogurts and drinks.
23. Chocolate / Milk Chocolate – Often hides dairy under “flavors.”
24. Enzymes – Sometimes sourced from milk in breads and cheeses.
Watch for “Ambiguous” Terms
These can be dairy-based depending on the manufacturer:
- Natural Flavors
- Caramel Flavor
- Lactic Acid
Labels change frequently – always recheck!
