Barry Callebaut launches lactose-free milk chocolate

May 22, 2012, Belgium – Barry Callebaut has launched a new
lactose-free milk chocolate, claiming a similar taste to regular milk chocolate.

May 22, 2012, Belgium – Barry Callebaut has launched a new
lactose-free milk chocolate, claiming a similar taste to regular milk chocolate. The new chocolate differs from existing offerings by using a
special skimmed milk powder with the lowest lactose content available on
the market. With this particular powder, Barry Callebaut can allow
higher amounts of milk powder in its recipe which preserves all the
goodness from the milk, resulting in a similar taste as regular milk
chocolate.

For the production of this new lactose-free milk chocolate, special
measures including additional and specific cleaning of the production
lines were taken in order to eliminate the risk of any lactose
contamination during the production process.

Today, many people suffer from lactose intolerance – according to the
European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), up to 70 per cent of adults worldwide are
affected. This makes them unable to consume milk-based products.
Lactose accounts for about five per cent of whole milk and is found in most fresh
dairy products. Lactose intolerant people do not have a sufficient
amount of the lactase enzyme, which normally splits lactose into two
moieties: glucose and galactose before absorption. Due to the absence of
this enzyme, lactose enters into the large intestine, where bacteria
begin a fermentation process. As a consequence of this fermentation, the
lactose intolerant person will suffer from side effects including
abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea or nausea.