Some ‘dairy free’ (or ‘vegan’) labelled foods carry ‘may contain traces of milk’ warnings, or similar. There is no widely accepted definition of ‘dairy free’ — some take it to mean ‘no milk-containing ingredients’ but others see it more strictly as ‘milk free’ (i.e. free of all traces / cross-contamination).
Brands who adopt both positions are included in the following list, with qualifications noted where known, but always check current status and individual food labels, as circumstances change often.
Bear in mind the cardinal rule: dairy free does NOT necessarily mean milk free / milk-allergy safe. (Although it almost certainly does mean lactose intolerance safe.)
The following list focuses mainly on brands producing dairy analogue products — milks, cheeses, yoghurts, chocolate, creams and ice creams. See also our ‘14 allergens free‘ list of brands which includes lots of additional safe brands.
Alpro
100% plant-based drinks (nut milks, soya milks, coconut milk, rice milk, oat milk), as well as yoghurts, desserts, ice cream and cream.
Booja Booja
Ice creams and truffles.
Coconut Collaborative
Yoghurts and desserts. Carry or used to carry a ‘may contain milk’ warning. (Awaiting checks.)
Coyo
Yoghurts and ice creams.
Dream
Rice and vegan milks and drinks, almond ice cream.
Ecomil
Organic vegan milks and creams, including unsweetened varieties.
Essential Vegan
Two nut cheeses.
Fermè Fermentino
Spreadable cashew cheeses.
Fravocado
Coconut and avocado-based ice cream.
Good Hemp
Hemp milk.
Koko
Coconut-based milks, yoghurts and spread.
Marks & Spencer
General dairy free list — scroll down to ‘Should I be eating this?’
Mozzarisella
Rice-based Mozzarella-like substitute.
Nestle
List of foods suitable for a milk-avoidance diet.
Oatly
Oat milks, custard, cream, and ‘oat fraiche’.
Provamel
Rice, coconut, oat, nut, soya drinks, desserts and yoghurts.
Pure
Dairy-free spreads (and meals).
Rakusen’s
Crackers, biscuits and more — vegan, nut-free and Kosher, a couple of GF products too.
Rebel Kitchen
Coconut milk drinks and yoghurts.
Sainsbury’s
Product guidance list (includes lists of other allergens, plus milk / egg and milk / gluten combined)
Sheese
Cheese alternatives — slices and grated.
Tyne Cheese
Organic cultured vegan cheeses.
Violife
Cheese slices and spreads.