Skip to main content

Some Chocolate Products Labeled 'Dairy-Free' Contain Milk, FDA Finds

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on Sep 19, 2024.

By Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter

THURSDAY, Sept. 19, 2024 -- Consumers should be aware that some chocolate labeled as “dairy-free” actually contains milk, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warns.

This inaccurate labeling could put people with milk allergies in danger, the FDA noted.

About 13 of 210 chocolate samples sold in Pennsylvania and Michigan in 2022 and 2023 tested positive for milk, the FDA said in an agency news release.

The 13 samples came from three different food manufacturing firms, the FDA said.

In response to the findings, two manufacturers removed the “dairy-free” claim from their chocolate products, the FDA said.

The third manufacturer agreed to remove the “dairy-free” claim from its products if the cause of the presence of milk could not be determined and eliminated, the agency said.

A preliminary investigation has implicated the supplier of dark chocolate as the likely source of milk in these products, rather than unsafe practices by the manufacturer, the FDA said.

The FDA noted that it doesn’t define the terms “dairy-free” or “milk-free,” but that when these claims are made by manufacturers they must be truthful.

All 13 of the chocolate products found to contain milk did have labeling with milk allergen advisory statements, like “…made in a facility that also processes milk.”

People with milk allergies can contact chocolate manufacturers and inquire how specific products are made, the FDA said.

They can also ask whether it’s made on equipment that is exposed to milk, whether ingredients are free of milk, and whether the manufacturer tests products to verify they contain no milk.

Sources

  • U.S. Food and Drug Administration, news release, Sept. 17, 2024

Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.

© 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

Read this next

Martinelli Recalls 170,000 Apple Juice Bottles for Possible Toxin

WEDNESDAY, April 30, 2025 — More than 170,000 bottles of Martinelli’s apple juice are being recalled due to possible contamination with a mold-related toxin, the U.S...

New HHS Ad Campaign Urges Americans to 'Take Back Your Health'

WEDNESDAY, April 30, 2025 — U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is preparing to launch a multimillion-dollar public health campaign, according to...

Food Companies Race to Replace Artificial Colors With Natural Alternatives

TUESDAY, April 29, 2025 — The push to remove artificial colors from U.S. foods is gaining speed, but making the change won't be easy — or quick. Last week, U.S...

More news resources

Subscribe to our newsletter

Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.