The incapability to digest the natural sugar lactose—mainly found in dairy foods—is termed as lactose intolerance. Few people don’t have sufficient lactase enzyme that breaks the sugar down in their digestive system. The preparation of lactose-free dairy products involves minimizing or removing lactose basically present in dairy products. Dairy products that are normally utilized on daily basis—such as yogurt, milk (flavored & white milk), milk powder, cheese, and others—are accessible in their lactose free variant. The most recent products within lactose free dairy products comprise dietary supplements and ice creams.
It is a bit tricky to diagnose lactose intolerance as the symptoms can be related to several other health problems as well. Thus, a huge attention is being grabbed by lactose-free dairy products to offer the lactose intolerant people with the required nutrition obtained by dairy products, thereby driving the global lactose-free dairy products market growth. Further, the increase in intake of organic food & beverages will boost the market growth owing to the rising consciousness regarding the severe impact of synthetic and unethical constituents utilized in non-organic foods. Additionally, rising middle class income and disposable income are others reasons expected to spur the market growth. Also, the rising inclination among customers for lactose-free dairy products has led to introduction of several product lines like sugar-free products, flavored milk, yoghurt, and cheese, which will fuel the market growth during the forecast period.
The global lactose free dairy products market can be classified based on category, type, distribution channel, packaging type, and geography. The global market, based on type, is bifurcated into milk powder, milk, ice-cream, yogurt, whey, butter & cheese, and others. The global market, based on category, is segregated into conventional and organic. The global market, on the basis of packaging type, is diversified into tubs, cartons, bottles, and others. The global market, based on distribution channel, is categorized into convenience store, supermarket/hypermarket, E-retailers, and specialty store.
Geographically, North America is expected to witness significant growth rate during the forecast period due to rising cases of lactose intolerance among adults and children in the region. Further, Asia Pacific is projected to hold a considerable share in the global lactose free dairy products market due to growing number of lactose intolerant people along with escalating adoption of lactose-free products because of it nutritional benefits and easy digestibility.
Few of the players actively participating in the global lactose free dairy products market consist of Arla Foods, Valio Ltd., Granarolo Group, Nestle S.A., Dean Foods, and Lactaid. To cite, The Coca-Cola Company, in January 2020, had declared about its procurement of the residual share in Fairlife LLC from its business partner select milk producers that comprise lactose free milk products.