People who prefer a lower fat content
You compare the fat content listed per 100 ml and can choose a 1 L carton if you don’t need an individual serving.
Who are these options for?
Families getting organised for back-to-school breakfasts
You’re looking for a pack size that suits your household’s routine, taking into account the number of cartons and how long they keep once opened.
People looking for an organic option
You want lactose-free milk from organic farming and compare its fat content with that of skimmed options.
What should you look for first?
For the new school year, start with what matters most to your household — fat content, pack size or recipe — then compare products by checking their labels.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| Fat content | Compare the fat content in g per 100 ml and the description shown on the packaging. | If I’m mainly looking for the lowest figure for breakfast, the nutrition table helps me choose; around 42% of consumers would make this their priority. |
| Pack size and storage | Check the volume of each carton and the storage instructions after opening. | If we don’t drink it often or a smaller portion is useful, I want a volume that suits my routine; this would be the main priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Organic or recipe ingredients | Look for the organic label or the ingredients you want, then compare the fat content per 100 ml. | If I prefer an organic option or a particular recipe feature, I’m happy to compare it separately with skimmed milk; nearly 25% of consumers would put this need first when choosing. |
What mistakes should you avoid?
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Confusing ‘lactose-free’ with ‘milk-free’
The Lactel and Carrefour products mentioned here contain milk. So the words ‘lactose-free’ do not mean that a product is suitable for someone who needs to avoid milk proteins.
If milk proteins need to be avoided, check the ingredients and allergens for the exact product and follow the advice of the relevant healthcare professional.
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Assuming you know the composition from the word ‘light’
The products featured by Candia, Lactel and Carrefour have different fat contents. A range name is no substitute for the product’s nutrition information.
Compare the fat content in g per 100 ml on the packaging of the options you’re interested in.
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Choosing a large multipack without planning how you’ll use it
A multipack of 1 L cartons may suit regular breakfasts, but each opened carton must be stored according to its own instructions.
Before choosing a size, consider how much milk your household will use within the stated period after opening.
A carton that’s too large for your needs may not be finished in time.
Brands to know
Candia
Candia offers lactose-free skimmed milk in 1 L cartons and multipacks of 6 × 1 L.
- Its product information lists 0 g of fat and less than 0.1 g of lactose per 100 ml.
- These are 1 L cartons rather than individual portions.
Lactel
The Matin Léger range includes a skimmed option with 0.2 g of fat per 100 ml and a 1.2% option available in several pack sizes.
- Lactel lists 25 cl, 50 cl and 1 L pack sizes for the 1.2% option.
- The 1.2% option and the skimmed product have different fat contents, so check the details of the one you choose.
Carrefour
Carrefour offers Classic’ lactose-free milk with 1.2% fat, as well as a Carrefour Bio option with 1% fat.
- The product information lists milk among the ingredients and lets you distinguish between the two recipes.
- Organic does not mean skimmed: compare the fat content with that of the other milk options you’re considering.
A Joybuy product for breakfast
This multipack of lactose-free skimmed milk cartons suits regular use at home, including back-to-school breakfasts. Check the fat content on the label of the option delivered before comparing it with other products.
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Lactel Matin Léger lactose-free skimmed milk, 6 × 1 L
This pack of six 1 L cartons suits a household that regularly uses lactose-free milk at breakfast, rather than someone looking for a single serving to take on the go.
Once opened, refrigerate the carton and use within 3 days, following the instructions for this product. Contains milk.
Frequently asked questions
Should you trust the word ‘skimmed’ or check the fat content?
First, compare the fat content per 100 ml on the label of each product. Candia lists 0 g for its lactose-free skimmed milk and Lactel lists 0.2 g for Matin Léger skimmed milk; a range name alone won’t tell you the figure for the option you’re buying.
Is lactose-free milk suitable if you need to avoid milk proteins?
No. ‘Lactose-free’ does not guarantee that a product is free from milk proteins. The Lactel and Carrefour products featured here contain milk, so if you need to avoid it, check the ingredients and allergens for the exact product.
What size should you choose for back-to-school breakfasts?
Choose a volume based on how much you’ll use before the end of the stated storage period after opening. Lactel lists 25 cl, 50 cl and 1 L formats for Matin Léger at 1.2%, while Candia offers its lactose-free skimmed milk in 1 L cartons and multipacks of 6 × 1 L. Check the instructions for the product you choose.