Is Parmigiano Reggiano lactose free?
Why a 12-month cheese has no lactose
The Consorzio’s point is about timing: the lactose is gone within the first 48 hours of the cheese’s life, long before the 12 months of aging that every wheel has to complete. So the answer does not depend on buying an old piece. A 12-month wedge is as lactose-free as a 36-month one. Nor is anything added or taken out to get there: the rules allow only raw milk, salt and calf rennet, with no additives. The production steps are on how Parmigiano Reggiano is made.
This applies to Parmigiano Reggiano. A cheese sold as parmesan outside the EU is made to a different standard, so the Consorzio’s figure does not cover it; the difference is explained on Parmigiano Reggiano vs parmesan. If you have a medical reason to avoid lactose, your own doctor’s advice comes first.
Frequently asked questions
Does aged Parmigiano Reggiano contain lactose?
No. It is naturally lactose-free from the first 48 hours, so every age, from 12 months up, is lactose-free, with galactose below 0.01 g per 100 g.
Is Parmigiano Reggiano suitable for vegetarians as well?
No. It is made with calf rennet, which the rules require. Why it is not vegetarian.
Is the lactose removed artificially?
No. No additives or treatments are allowed; the lactose disappears during the first two days of the cheese’s life as part of normal production.