Lactose-Free Ingredients — E-Numbers and Lactose Intolerance
Only one E-number meaningfully matters for lactose intolerance: lactitol (E966), a sweetener made from lactose. The rest of the additive system is effectively lactose-free.
Lactitol (E966) is manufactured from lactose and appears in sugar-free and diabetic products — though ironically, as a sugar alcohol it causes digestive symptoms in most people at high doses anyway, lactose-intolerant or not. Lactic acid (E270) and lactates (E325–E327) contain no lactose despite the name — they're fermentation products. Milk sugar hides instead in whey powder, milk solids, skimmed milk powder and cream — all clearly labelled dairy ingredients.
Lactose intolerance is dose-dependent for most people, so trace additive-level exposure is rarely the problem — the milk-solids in the product itself are what count.
Lactose-adjacent additives
| E-Number | Name | Safety | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| E966 | Lactitol | Safe | Full details |
| E270 | Lactic Acid | Safe | Full details |
| E325 | Sodium Lactate | Safe | Full details |
| E326 | Potassium Lactate | Safe | Full details |
| E327 | Calcium Lactate | Safe | Full details |
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Additive data sourced from Open Food Facts (ODbL licence) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). This page is for general information and does not provide medical or dietary advice.