The Problem With Lactaid -- Aspgillus Mold

[Skylarker]

In a recent thread Kathy (ksymonds84) posted about having a bad reaction to lactaid. By coincidence, I had just tried lactaid for the first time, and had a bad reaction each time -- near-instantaneous vomiting the second time. I checked the ingredients and saw nothing indicating gluten.

Wouldn't you know the answer is right here on the forum, in a thread from 2005. Open Original Shared Link

Turns out lactaid (and other foods and enzymes) is made by using a mold called aspergillus. I wouldn't have immediately decided this was the villain, except that I took a B-vitamin a few days ago, had a bad reaction, and it turns out that yes, some vitamins are made with aspergillus. (Note: I've been gluten-free about 2.5 weeks, and have never had a bad reaction to this brand of B vitamins before.)

For more info, check the thread cited above. I'll also re-list the aspergillus-containing items from that thread:

  Quote

PRODUCTS OF ASPERGILLUS FERMENTATION:

SOY SAUCE

CHOCOLATE that includes chocolate liquor

TEA (BLACK)

MALT EXTRACT (MOST CEREALS)

LACTAID (MILK ADDITIVE)

SOME VITAMINS - SOLGAR AND JARROW brands ARE SAFE; MOST ARE NOT

CITRIC ACID (A VERY COMMON FOOD ADDITIVE; NOT DERIVED FROM CITRUS FRUIT)

SOFT DRINKS (Citric acid is made with the aspergillus fermentation process)

FRUIT JUICE (COMMERCIAL-OFTEN MADE FROM MOLDY FRUIT; MANY CONTAIN MOLD ENZYMES ADDED IN PROCESSING)

DIGESTIVE ENZYMES (PANCREATIC ARE ALRIGHT), OTHERS ARE NOT

CHOLESTEROL LOWERING ENZYMES

ACIDOPHILUS WITH F.O.S. (Acidophilus has very healing effects and promotes natural anti-fungals in the body, however, artificially produced F.O.S. is made with the aspergillus fermentation process. If you would like natural F.O.S., you can consume watermelon seeds and reap the same nutritional benefits without any aspergillus fermentation).

Enzymes and what the enzymes are made of:*

Alpha-galactosidase ----- Aspergillus niger

Amylase ----- Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Aspergillus oryzae, Aspergillus niger

Amylase ---- (Malt diastase) malt

Amyloglucosidase ---- Aspergillus niger, Rhizopus oryzae

Beta-amylase ---- wheat, Bacillus spp.

Catalase --- Aspergillus niger

Cellulase --- Aspergillus niger, Trichoderma longibrachiatum (reesei)

Glucose oxidase ---- Aspergillus niger

Hemicellulase ---- Aspergillus niger, Trichoderma longibrachiatum (reesei), Aspergillus oryzae, Bacillus subtilis

Lactase ---- Aspergillus oryzae, Kluveromyces lactis

Lipase ---- Aspergillus niger, Arthrobacter ureafaciens, Candida cylindracea, Rhizomucor miehei, Rhizopus oryzae, Rhizopus delemar

Lysophospholipase ---- Aspergillus niger

Pectinase ---- Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus japonicus, Rhizopus oryzae

Phytase ---- Aspergillus niger

Protease, microbial ---- spergillus oryzae, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus melleus, Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus thermoproteolyticus, Rhizopus niveus

* As provided by member companies of the Enzyme Technical Association.

revision 1/99

Beano was also mentioned.

Here are some links the original poster referred to:

Open Original Shared Link

Open Original Shared Link

Purely in the interest of science (har har), right now I'm testing whether I now react to chocolate liquor (which I confirmed is in my favorite Ritter Sport Marzipan bar).

A big thank you to Stephanie (skbird), who originally posted all of that incredibly useful information.

Marly

[Sweetfudge]

so is this mold harmful to the body, or just causing sensitivity to some people? i've taken lactaid on and off for a few months, and don't seem to have a problem with it.

[Skylarker]

  Sweetfudge said:

so is this mold harmful to the body, or just causing sensitivity to some people? i've taken lactaid on and off for a few months, and don't seem to have a problem with it.

No, it's only harmful to people who have an allergy or sensitivity.

I didn't know I had one until after being gluten-free for a couple of weeks. I guess this is part of the phenomenon others have also noticed, of becoming more sensitive after going off gluten. I wonder what that's all about.

Marly