For Christmas baking that calls for milk, choose a lactose-free option by first comparing its fat content with the type specified in the recipe, then checking how much you’ll need. Lactel, Candia+, Auchan and Délisse state that their featured products contain less than 0.1 g of lactose per 100 ml. However, this does not mean that the product is dairy-free.
You’re making a Christmas dessert that includes milk and want to choose an option with a clearly stated lactose threshold. The product information from Candia+, Lactel, Auchan and Délisse states that the relevant products contain less than 0.1 g of lactose per 100 ml.
If you’re planning several bakes, the fat content, the amount you buy and the storage instructions after opening can all help you decide.
If you’re making something that only calls for a little milk, a 50 cl bottle may be a better fit than a larger one. Candia+ offers this size, while Délisse sells a multipack of 50 cl bottles.
Start with the type of milk specified in the recipe, then check the lactose information and choose a size that suits what you’re planning to make.
| What to consider | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Lactose and ingredients | Check the stated lactose content and the ingredients list. Lactose-free milk is still a dairy product. | If I’m making dessert for someone who avoids lactose, I want to choose milk with a stated threshold without mistaking it for a dairy-free product; around 42% of consumers put this check first. |
| Fat content | Compare the amount per 100 ml with the type of milk specified in the recipe: the products featured by Lactel, Candia+, Auchan and Délisse don’t all have the same fat content. | When a recipe specifies a type of milk, I look for one that matches rather than assuming skimmed and semi-skimmed milk are interchangeable; this is the top priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Pack size and storage | Compare the amount you need with the container size, then check the storage instructions for the product you choose. | For a single batch, I prefer to buy an amount I can use within the stated time after opening; around 25% of consumers prioritise pack size and storage for the same reason. |
Lactose-free milk is still milk. Cerin distinguishes between lactose intolerance and an allergy to milk proteins, so the ‘lactose-free’ label doesn’t address both situations in the same way.
If the dessert is for someone with a milk protein allergy, don’t choose this product based on the ‘lactose-free’ label alone; check the ingredients and allergens.
Two milks carrying this label can have different fat contents and come in different sizes, both of which matter for a specific recipe or occasional use.
Check the type of milk specified in the recipe and how much you need before choosing a bottle.
A product listed by a retailer may not be available at the branch where you shop. E.Leclerc, for example, advises customers to check with the relevant store about Délisse.
Check the size and availability at your chosen shop or online collection point before planning your purchase.
The Matin Léger range includes a UHT, lactose-free skimmed milk option, worth considering if your recipe calls for skimmed milk.
Candia+ offers lactose-free milk with 1.0% fat in several sizes.
Auchan offers UHT lactose-free milk in a 1 L bottle.
Délisse offers UHT lactose-free milk in a multipack of six 50 cl bottles.
Carrefour listings include semi-skimmed, lactose-free Carrefour Classic' milk in several sizes, including 50 cl and 1 L.
Yes. Some products are specifically presented as suitable for cooking: Candia+ says its milk is suitable for all uses, while Auchan notes that an Alsace Lait product can be used in cooking. For your dessert, choose the fat content according to the type of milk specified in the recipe.
No. Lactose-free milk is still a dairy product. Cerin distinguishes between an allergy to milk proteins and lactose intolerance. If the dessert is for someone with an allergy, check the ingredients and allergens rather than relying on the ‘lactose-free’ label alone.
If the recipe only uses a little milk and you’re not planning to make anything else, a 50 cl bottle can help reduce the amount left over after opening. Candia+ offers this size as a single bottle, while Délisse sells it in a multipack of six, so check how many bottles you’ll be buying too.
It depends on the product: Candia+ says four days when stored between +1 and +6 °C; the Lactel skimmed milk featured here should be kept chilled at no more than 6 °C and used within three days; and the relevant Auchan product should be kept at no more than +6 °C and used within five days. Follow the instructions on the packaging of the product you buy.