Households that use milk regularly
For breakfasts and Easter recipes, a pack of 6 × 1 L can cover several uses without you having to open all the bottles at once. However, you’ll need to finish each bottle within the stated time after opening.
Who are these pack sizes suitable for?
People looking for lactose-free milk
If you want to continue using cow’s milk, check the lactose content of the product you choose. According to France’s national health insurance service, lactose intolerance is related to how the body digests lactose; it should not be confused with an allergy to milk proteins.
Shoppers comparing skimmed and semi-skimmed milk
“Lactose-free” doesn’t tell you how much fat the milk contains. Lactel states that its Matin Léger écrémé contains 0.2 g per 100 mL; Candia+ and Auchan also offer lactose-free products containing 1.0% and 1.2% fat respectively.
What should you compare when shopping for Easter?
If your household is planning to use lactose-free milk in several ways over Easter, start with what matters most to you, then check the pack size and instructions for the exact product.
| What to compare | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Lactose and milk content | Read the lactose content and ingredients list: “lactose-free” does not mean “free from milk proteins”. | If I want to continue using cow’s milk, I need to distinguish between the lactose content and the presence of milk proteins. Around 29% of consumers would put this distinction at the top of their shopping criteria. |
| Volume and pack size | Compare the volume per bottle and the number of bottles; don’t assume that “4 pint” means a 2 L bottle. | For Easter meals and recipes, I want enough milk without having to open one large container all at once. Pack size would be the top priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Storage after opening | Check the storage temperature and how soon each bottle must be used after opening. | If how much I drink varies from day to day, I want to be able to finish an opened bottle within the stated time. Around 24% of consumers would make their choice based first on this time limit. |
| Fat content | Check whether it’s skimmed or semi-skimmed, and the fat content per 100 mL. | For my usual needs, I want to choose between skimmed and semi-skimmed lactose-free milk. This would be the deciding factor for around 18% of consumers. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Assuming “lactose-free” means “dairy-free”
Lactose-free milk can still contain cow’s milk proteins, so the label doesn’t automatically make it suitable for someone with an allergy to these proteins.
Check the ingredients list and allergen information for the product you buy, rather than relying on the wording on the front of the pack.
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Choosing a multipack without planning how you’ll use the opened bottles
In a pack of 6 × 1 L, the bottles are separate, but each one must be stored according to its own instructions once opened. The date printed on an unopened bottle doesn’t replace the time limit after opening.
Choose a number of bottles that suits how quickly you use them, and note the date you open each one.
An opened bottle kept beyond its recommended storage time may go to waste.
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Interpreting “4 pint” as a French 2 L pack size
This phrase alone isn’t enough to identify the volume of a lactose-free milk bottle sold in France. A pack of 6 × 1 L means six bottles, not one large container.
Check the volume per bottle on the product listing or packaging before choosing between a single bottle and a multipack.
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Assuming the nutritional values from the words “lactose-free”
The Lactel Matin Léger écrémé, Candia+ and Auchan products mentioned here have different fat contents.
Compare the type of milk and the nutritional information per 100 mL for the products you’re considering.
Brands to consider, depending on the product
Pack sizes, fat content and storage instructions after opening can vary between products from the same brand.
Lactel
The Matin Léger range includes lactose-free UHT milk, with both skimmed and semi-skimmed options.
- Lactel states that its Matin Léger écrémé contains less than 0.1 g of lactose and 0.2 g of fat per 100 mL.
- Carrefour also offers a pack of 6 × 1 L of Matin Léger demi-écrémé. Check the type of milk, as this isn’t the skimmed option.
Candia+
Candia offers its lactose-free milk in 50 cL and 1 L bottles, as well as packs of 4 × 50 cL and 6 × 1 L.
- For this product, the brand states a fat content of 1.0% and less than 0.1 g of lactose per 100 mL.
- Candia says to keep it chilled and use within four days of opening; check the instructions on the pack you buy.
Auchan
Auchan offers lactose-free UHT milk in 1 L bottles and packs of 6 × 1 L.
- The product listing for the pack of 6 × 1 L states that it contains less than 0.1% lactose and 1.2% fat.
- For this pack, the instructions say to keep it chilled and use within three days of opening; check the bottle before use.
Carrefour Classic’
Carrefour’s Classic’ range includes vitamin-enriched semi-skimmed lactose-free milk in 1 L bottles and packs of 6 × 1 L.
- Choosing between a single bottle and a multipack lets you match the number of bottles to your household’s needs.
- Check the nutritional information and storage instructions for the product you choose.
Joybuy products related to lactose-free milk
Related products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
Is lactose-free milk suitable for someone with a cow’s milk protein allergy?
No. “Lactose-free” doesn’t mean that the milk no longer contains milk proteins. The Lactel and Auchan products mentioned here contain milk, so always check the ingredients and allergen information for the product you choose.
How long can you keep a bottle after opening?
Follow the time limit and temperature stated on the specific bottle. Lactel says to keep its Matin Léger écrémé for three days at a maximum of 6 °C after opening; Candia says to keep Candia+ chilled for four days, while the listing for Auchan’s pack of 6 × 1 L says three days. These instructions after opening are not superseded by the date printed on the unopened container.
Should you cut out all dairy products if you have difficulty digesting lactose?
Not necessarily. France’s national health insurance service says that, when managing lactose intolerance, foods containing milk are generally limited and only very rarely eliminated altogether. If the cause of your symptoms hasn’t been established, ask a healthcare professional for advice rather than choosing a product based solely on the words “lactose-free”.