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Food: the lactose-free milk market is booming
Food: the lactose-free milk market is booming – (France 2)
In France, one in five consumers would buy lactose-free milk. Is this more expensive product better for your health? How is it developed? The 20 Heures teams investigated.
Lactose-free milk is one of the few varieties whose sales are increasing in stores. One in five French people consume it. According to the director of a Parisian store, sales of lactose-free products jumped 8% this year. Sales are up, despite higher prices. How to explain the price differences? The 20 Hours teams contacted the two giants of the sector: Candia and Lactel. Although they recognized a lactose-free boom, they refused to welcome the teams.
What technical process?
On prices, Candia justifies: “Its price (…) is linked to the process aimed at removing lactose.” To obtain lactose-free milk, manufacturers take classic milk and add lactase, an enzyme already present in our intestine. It will break the milk molecules in two and allow them to be digested more easily. This process is expensive.
Is it better for your health? Karine De La Rouère, dietician-nutritionist, only recommends this milk to some of her patients, those who suffer from intolerance. In France, 4 to 10% of the population are lactose intolerant.
