Has anyone else noticed lactose free milk products are not lactose free in the last year?

[u/ThrowmeawayAKisCold]

While I am severely lactose intolerant I have been able to consume certain varieties of cheese like gruyere problem free and in the last 14 years since my diagnosis lactose free dairy coffee creamers were fine. However, over the last year I have become gravely ill from all lactose free dairy coffee creamers, especially Lucerne. My Galbana lactose free provolone has been causing issues for me and others I know. My mom’s Lactaid brand milk has been giving her issues in addition to the milk spoiling within a week of purchasing it, despite expiration labeling with 1 month left.

Has anyone else noticed a severe decline in quality control of lactose free dairy products lately? I wonder if relaxed FDA standards could be playing a role.

Location: California

[u/-Tricky-Vixen-]

I'm honestly just starting to figure that I'm probably not actually lactose intolerant and that it's maybe a casein thing, because this is getting ridiculous. Every thing that's lactose free is gradually becoming more issuecausing for me also, up to and including respiratory involvement if I have too much (500mL lactose free milk the other day had me feeling absolutely terrible overall and a bit gaspy too, elevated respiratory rate with increased work of breathing, like asthma but more hardcore).

I'm in Australia.

[u/Novel-Cash-8001 → u/-Tricky-Vixen-]

Same for me. I could have Galbani LF mozz so I can make pizza...no longer....LF milk is now a no go...even with Lactojoy.

With Lactojoy I don't have the bathroom issue but still have the "other" symptoms like joint aches, ears plugged, brain fog and racing heart.

I've simply went dairy free to avoid getting lactosed.....it's too painful

[u/AndrastesDimples]

I haven’t had any issues with Lactaid products (I drink the milk almost everyday and there’s always a thing of their ice cream in the fridge). I’ve had issues with other lactose free products (like Publix brand lactose free ice cream). I’m pretty sensitive too. I don’t even play. If there’s cheese, I’m taking a handful of LactoJoy. 

[u/melancholy_dood]

In my limited research I came across the following:

"Lactose-free dairy products are not always 100% lactose-free, but they contain significantly reduced levels of lactose, making them easier to digest for those with lactose intolerance. Some products may still have trace amounts of lactose."

Source: International Dairy Foods Association & Arla Foods UK

Since lactose-free dairy products are not 100% lactose free, people who are extremely sensitive lactose may not find much relief consuming lactose-free dairy products and those folks should probably consult their doctor for guidance.

Also, FODMAPs (fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols) which are "naturally present in food and the human diet" can also cause symptoms similar to lactose intolerance (specifically, bloating, gas, abdominal pain, diarrhea and constipation) due to fermentation and malabsorption in the gut. FODMAP can be treated with a low FODMAP diet, but you should consult your doctor before starting this type of diet.

I hope this helps.

[u/Every-Initial-7095]

I get “lactosed” at least once a month without any obvious cause.  I am very vigilant about everything I eat so I often wonder the same thing!  I have a very specific set of symptoms that manifest in the same way every time so I know it’s lactose.  I just don’t know how I’m ingesting it when all of my dairy foods are “lactose free” 🤷🏻‍♀️

[u/ageekyninja]

I’ve never been able to drink products only treated with lactase, and it got worse over time as I think what little enzymes I produced decreased with age. For me it has to be treated with lactase and then filtered. So maybe try filtered milk

[u/jray994]

Most “lactose-free” milk still starts as regular cow’s milk that naturally contains lactose. The difference is that manufacturers add the enzyme lactase, which breaks the lactose down into two simpler sugars:
glucose
galactose
So chemically, the lactose has been “pre-digested” before you drink it. Still started as cows milk so could be that the brand your using isn’t putting as much or there are trace amounts to it

[u/kawi-bawi-bo]

Milk usually has shelf life of 1 week when it’s opened. It has a long expiration date due to pasteurization, but that’s gone the moment you open it . If you check your bottle it’ll all say to consume within a week of opening

Your symptoms sound more like casein intolerance and normal aging if not being to digest fats as much. Conditions such as gallstones will be triggered by things like creamers and cheese

Lastly, lactose intolerance gets worse with age as well

[u/bean2593]

I've noticed that my reactions to dairy are hugely influenced by stress. When I'm more stressed, dairy gives me a full body reaction (I'm on day 4 of C-PTSD flare recovery paired with day 2 of dairy recovery right now and still not ok, brain fog, joint pain, tummy pain, but also it feels like my belly has become a solid rock). Could this be the case for you?

[u/Pure_Spinach327]

not sure if I can comment yet. YES, something is up as so many things now trigger the same issues as when I get a smaller lactose dose. I was wondering if they were just sort of letting the labeling going to the regular products or something? I have a lactose free cheese in Brazil that is clearly not lactose free imo.