Knowing the exact amount of the ingredients in a product improves the quality and food safety for both consumers and producers. As the contents and ingredients have to be clearly listed on product labels, it is important for producers of dairy products to accurately determine the lactose content of the raw materials they use.
In the EU, food manufacturers are obligated by law to declare all the ingredients on the product label, clearly listed in descending order depending on the quantity. This includes lactose whenever it is knowingly used in food processing and production. The same applies if lactose is solely used as a carrier substance, for example for aromas or spice blends. As a consequence, the determination of the lactose content is highly important in the inspection of incoming goods, during the production process and in the final product to ensure quality and food safety, and to conform to legal requirements.