Cows’ milk free diet – food shopping guide

Key takeaways

• Management of cows’ milk protein allergy involves elimination of sources of cows’ milk protein from the diet
• Identify ingredients on a food label that contain or may contain cows’ milk protein
• Understand substitute options when eliminating dairy from the diet to ensure nutritional needs are met

Shopping guide for parents of children with cows’ milk allergy 

Infants and children diagnosed with cows’ milk protein allergy must avoid all foods containing cows’ milk protein until it is safe to reintroduce. While most of us know that cows’ milk is found in dairy products, other foods containing cows’ milk are not always obvious.  Thankfully, there are legislations in place in Australia and New Zealand that requires ‘milk’ to be listed in bold text in ingredient lists on food labels to make it easier to identify allergens. For parents of children with cows’ milk protein allergy it is important to read the labels of all manufactured foods to ensure that they do not contain cows’ milk protein. 

The following foods contain cows’ milk protein and must be avoided by children and infants with cows’ milk protein allergy¹

*It is recommended that children with IgE-mediated cows’ milk protein allergy are careful with all coconut products. Coconut itself does not contain cows’ milk protein, however, authorities cannot currently guarantee that sufficient testing has occurred on all coconut products to ensure they are cows’ milk protein free.¹ 

Coconut products made in Australia using Australian grown coconuts are most likely safe, however, it is important to check with manufacturers to ensure they are cows’ milk free.¹

**Children with cows’ milk protein allergy will also need to avoid other mammalian milks (like sheep and goat milk) as these contain similar proteins to those found in cows’ milk. These milks may cause an allergic reaction in a child with cows’ milk protein allergy. 

The following foods may contain cows’ milk protein. It is important to check the labels on these foods before giving them to your child. If the food contains cows’ milk protein it should be avoided.¹: 

Please note that this is not a complete list of all foods containing cows’ milk protein. It is important to check the labels of all manufactured foods before consuming. 

Cows’ milk alternatives 

Cows’ milk and dairy products provide an important source of calcium, protein, energy and other nutrients for infants and children. If cows’ milk is removed from the diet due to cows’ milk protein allergy, it is important to provide an alternative source of these nutrients. Most of the products listed below are available at large supermarkets, however, for some of the items you may need to visit a health food or specialty store. 

Table adapted from Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy ‘Dietary Avoidance- cows’ milk allergy’ 2020.¹

This article is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice. Always consult your doctor.

References:

1. Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA). ASCIA Dietary avoidance – cow’s milk protein (dairy) allergy 2021. Available from: Cow’s milk protein (dairy) – Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA) (Accessed June 2021)