Whether chocolate contains lactose depends on the particular sweet. Some varieties of dark chocolate are naturally lactose free. Chocolate comes in different types, with milk, white and dark chocolate being the most common. Lactose is a type of sugar found in dairy products such as milk, cheese and butter. Those with lactose intolerance should avoid chocolates that contain certain ingredients.
Common Ingredients
The most common ingredients used to make chocolate are chocolate liquor, cocoa butter, nutritive sweeteners, emulsifiers, milk or milk solids. Cocoa butter doesn't contain lactose because it isn't made from milk.
White and Milk Chocolates
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) sets the standard of identity for what certain food products, such as chocolate, must contain. This applies to both domestic and imported products sold in the United States. The standards of identity for milk and white chocolate require that they contain at least 12 and 14 percent milk solids, respectively. Therefore, milk and white chocolate will always contain a certain amount of lactose.
Dark Chocolate
While there is no standard of identity for dark chocolate--which can be further classified as semisweet, bittersweet or couverture--it usually has a higher percentage of cocoa. Dark chocolate often contains little to no milk, but it is important to read the label.
Labels
Thanks to the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act of 2004, all food products made after Jan. 1, 2006 must clearly identify the food source name of the eight most common allergens, one of which is milk. You can find this information either in the ingredients list or in the "Contains" statement next to the ingredients. If "milk" appears on the label, the chocolate contains lactose. Other ingredients to avoid include butter and whey. When in doubt, call the manufacturer to confirm the product ingredients.
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