The lactose and galactose content of milk fats and suitability for galactosaemia

Introduction: Butter oil, ghee and butter are theoretically low in lactose. All three products are high in milk fat; butter oil and ghee contain approximately 99.3% fat and butter around 80% fat. We report the lactose and galactose content of butter, ghee, and butter oil and assess their suitability in a low galactose diet.

Methods: A total of 12 samples (butter oil n = 5, ghee n = 5, butter n = 2) were analysed by High-Performance Anion Exchange Chromatography with Pulsed Amperometric Detection (HPAEC-PAD) technology used to perform lactose and galactose analyses.

Results: Butter oil and ghee were consistently low in lactose and galactose. Butter oil analysis: lactose, 0.47 to 3.08 mg/100 g; galactose, < 0.05 to 2.28 mg/100 g. Ghee analysis: lactose, < 0.05 to 2.9 mg/100 g; galactose, < 0.05 mg to < 1.0 mg/100 g. Butter analysis: lactose 685 to 688 mg/100 g; galactose, 1.3 mg to 1.6 mg/100 g.

Conclusions: Butter oil (commonly used in food industry) and ghee contain minimal lactose and galactose and so are permitted in a UK galactosaemia diet. Butter is considered too high in lactose and is unsuitable in a low galactose diet.