Best Lactose-Free Milk Brands – Organic and Dairy Free [2024]

The best lactose-free milk brands are those that contain the lactase enzyme, have been supplemented with vitamins D and A, are made from grade A or organic milk, and do not contain growth hormones.

If you are looking for a milk that has all of the above attributes, you've come to the right place.  Tested under rigorous conditions in our kitchen, I've ranked the following in a list that you will find useful in your search for a lactose free milk brand that suits you. 

The Best Lactose-Free Milk Brands

Here is a quick overview of the lactose-free milk brands I have researched and reviewed. I have also added the key feature of why each lactose-free brand was included:

1. Organic Valley 2% Lactose-Free milk

Visit their website at www.organicvalley.coop

The first item on my list is an organic milk with 2% lactose-free from Organic Valley which comes from pasture-raised cows.

Cows born in pastures are likely to produce a more nutritious and tasty milk.

It also contains lactase, which helps to dissolve the lactose in milk, while keeping the delicious taste and nutritional value that is present in regular milk.

Since it’s organic, it does not contain any rBST. The company also enhances its milk with vitamin D and vitamins A.

They also have a range of other milk that range from 1% low-fat milk, whole milk, and low fat chocolate milk, therefore you are sure to find something to your taste.

2. Horizon Organic Lactose-Free 2% Milk

Visit their website at www.horizon.com

The next dairy on our list is a great 100 percent USDA Organically certified selection by Horizon Organic.

It is a lactase derivative that helps reduce the sugar in milk known as lactose. 

It also contains vitamin A as well as D for the highest nutritional value. The milk is delicious and you’ll never be able to tell it’s lactose-free until you check the label.

Because the milk is organic, you can be sure that it doesn’t have any pesticides, hormones, or antibiotics.

If you’re in search of an alternative that is laced with some milk fat to give it a more creamy texture and taste, consider Horizon Organic Lactose-Free Whole Milk.

3. 360 by Whole Foods Market, Organic Grade A Milk

Visit their website at www.wholefoodsmarket.com

This selection is available from Whole Foods’ in-house brand 360 and is made of USDA-certified organic Grade A milk. 

The company is proud of not excessively pasteurizing its milk which means it has a lower shelf-life.

Ultra-pasteurization raises the temperature of your milk that may affect the flavor.

It has the lactase enzyme to break lactose sugar into two easily digestible sugars, namely galactose and glucose.

This breakdown can ease signs of intolerance to lactose, so you can enjoy the milk you love without any discomfort. Vtamins D and A are added.

4. Clover Sonoma Lactose Zero 2% Fat-Reduced Milk

Visit their website at www.cloversonoma.com

The next two brands are identical in terms of their quality, so the decision is based on your flavor preference and what you are willing to pay.  

Clover Sonoma is a great choice because it is made with milk from family-owned farms located in Northern California.

As with other brands, these also add lactase as well as vitamin D and A.

The cows they care for are not injected with rBST and are treated according to the rules of American Humane Certified animal welfare standards.

Additionally, Clover Sonoma also does weekly and daily tests of its milk to be sure it’s below federal and state standards for bacteria count. This is important for the health of your gut. 

A creamier alternative is their lactose-free whole milk. If chocolate milk is what you prefer, you can get lactose-free, whole chocolate milk.

5. Happy Belly Lactose-free 21% Reduced-Fat Milk

The next milk is from Amazon’s brand, Happy Belly.

It is made of Grade A cow milk that is not treated with rBST.

It is enriched with vitamins A and D and has also contains lactase. 

The best thing about the milk is the company provides an unconditional money-back guarantee in the event you aren’t satisfied.

Happy Belly is frequently used in most recipes for smoothies with dairy-free milk.

If milk with 2% isn’t your cup of tea, they offer creamier dairy-free milk.

If you’re looking for a lower fat option, they also offer one percent lactose-free milk.

6. Natrel Lactose No cost 22% Mil

The two next names on the list can be considered shelves-stable. These are excellent options for those who want portable milk that won't go off. If you want to stock up on your pantry and don’t have a lot of space in your fridge, consider this option.

Natrel Lactose-Free Milk does not contain any preservatives or additives, and is  pasteurized and sealed to ensure the milk stays fresh, even when it is not in the refrigerator.

Lactase is a component with A and D vitamin supplementation.

There are a variety of alternatives to the lactose-free milk. Look at Natrel 1 percent Lactose-Free milk and Natrel Lactose-Free Whole Milk.

7. Fair life YUP! 2.2% Lower Fat Ultra-Filtered, Lactose-Free Milk

Visit their website at www.horizon.com

The final choice comes in smaller serving sizes and can be stored for a long time. If you are a parent or are frequently traveling for work, then Fair Life YUP! is a lactose-free milk that be an ideal choice.

They come in 14 fluid-ounce size bottles that you can store in the pantry or keep in the refrigerator. Unlike other brands, vitamin E which is a natural preservative is present.

It does have natural flavors, so it could be slightly different in taste than milk that is purely lactose-free.

It’s also not clear if it’s the Grade A category of milk, which is something to think about.

How To Select The Best Lactose-Free Milk

If you’re trying to find the most suitable lactose-free dairy product for your needs, the first step is to determine what kind of milk you want and for what use.

Do you want rich whole milk? Are you looking for no-fat or low-fat milk for cereal? Do you need shelf-stable to take along on your travels?

I’ve listed different kinds of milk below, so that no matter your preference, you can find ideal lactose-free milk to test out.

Contains Lactase Enzyme

To get rid of lactose in milk most companies employ an enzyme that digests lactose called lactase. The enzyme will break down lactose sugar found in the milk so that your body does not have to process it for you.

If you suffer from lactose intolerance, it isn’t able to produce sufficient lactase. This could cause discomfort when drinking regular milk.

The abovementioned companies add lactase to their products so you get lactose-free milk that tastes the same as regular milk.

Fortified with Vitamins A and D

A lot of top-quality milk milk companies add vitamin A and D into their products to increase the nutrition their products offer. 

Certified Organic

When milk-producing cows receive a healthy diet, the benefits in terms of nutrition and flavor are passed on in the milk.

Organic milk is also derived from cows that haven’t been given growth hormones, or antibiotics, which can end up in their milk.

When you select organic milk, you’ll get a clean and delicious glass of milk without the possibility of contamination by pesticides and antibiotics.

Grade A Milk

If you cannot locate organic-certified milk, grade A certification is what you need to check for. This indicates that the milk was handled in a safe and safe environment and is free of contamination.

Look for Milk That Is RBST Free

rBST stands for recombinant bovine somatotropin. This is a kind of synthetic growth hormone that boosts milk production.

It is illegal in countries like Canada and some countries in the European Union.

The problem with rBST is that it could cause an increase in infections in cows taking it.

This increased infection will require the use of antibiotics that could pass into milk which is then absorbed into your body.

Bonus: A2 Protein Milk

People with lactose intolerances could also be sensitive to certain dairy proteins which can result in discomforts similar to lactose intolerance.

The protein most people react to is the A1 protein found in milk.

Some companies are now beginning to sell milk that doesn’t include any A1 proteins, and it comes from cows that only produce A2 proteins.

This change could make the milk more digestible and allow you to still enjoy all the taste and nutritional value.

If you’ve found that cutting lactose out doesn’t eliminate your adverse milk reactions, perhaps you are susceptible to a specific kind of protein known as casein, which is found in dairy foods.

Many brands make use of milk that contains high levels of casein A1, a protein that can cause discomfort in those who are allergic or sensitive to this protein.

Milk companies generally use milk that is certified to contain only casein A2 which is less likely to trigger symptoms of sinus or digestive issues.