Quick Answer
No, Nutella is not dairy free. Nutella contains milk and milk derivatives, which means it contains lactose and is not suitable for people with milk allergies or lactose intolerance. The main dairy ingredients in Nutella are skim milk powder and whey powder.
Ingredients in Nutella
The main ingredients in Nutella are:
- Sugar
- Palm oil
- Hazelnuts
- Cocoa powder
- Skim milk powder
- Whey powder
- Lecithin
- Vanillin
Both skim milk powder and whey powder are derived from milk, which means Nutella contains dairy.
Skim milk powder is a powder made by spray drying skimmed milk. It contains casein and lactose, the two main proteins found in milk.
Whey powder is a by-product of cheese making. It contains whey proteins and lactose.
So while the main ingredients in Nutella are sugar and fats, the presence of both skim milk powder and whey powder mean it cannot be considered dairy free.
Why Nutella contains milk derivatives
There are a few reasons why Nutella contains milk derivatives:
- To act as emulsifiers – Lecithin and whey proteins help emulsify the oil and cocoa solids in Nutella.
- Improve texture – Milk powders help improve the texture of Nutella, making it smoother and more spreadable.
- Boost protein content – Adding skim milk and whey provides extra protein which is listed on the Nutella nutrition label.
- Help as binders – The milk powders act as binders to hold the Nutella ingredients together.
- Enhance flavor – Lactose and milk proteins provide a creamy, indulgent taste.
So in summary, Nutella relies on milk derivatives for emulsification, texture, protein content, binding, and flavor. Dairy ingredients like skim milk powder and whey powder are integral to achieving the unique, smooth and creamy texture and taste of Nutella.
Nutella labeling and allergy warnings
Because it contains milk ingredients, Nutella has an allergy warning on the label indicating it contains milk and milk derivatives.
The label states:
“Contains Milk and Hazelnuts. May contain traces of Peanuts and Tree Nuts.”
This allergy statement helps inform consumers that Nutella is not vegan or dairy free. People with an allergy or intolerance to milk should avoid Nutella due to the risk of an adverse reaction.
The presence of milk powders also means Nutella is not suitable for people following a lactose free, dairy free, or vegan diet.
However, the levels of milk derivatives are low enough that some people who are mildly lactose intolerant may be able to tolerate small amounts of Nutella. But for people with severe lactose intolerance or milk allergies, Nutella should be avoided altogether due to the risk of gastrointestinal symptoms or anaphylaxis.
Nutella nutritional information
Here is the nutritional information for 2 tablespoons (37g) of Nutella:
| Nutrient | Per Serve |
|---|---|
| Calories | 200 |
| Fat | 12g |
| Saturated Fat | 4g |
| Trans Fat | 0g |
| Carbohydrates | 21g |
| Sugars | 17g |
| Protein | 2g |
| Sodium | 10mg |
As you can see, a serving of Nutella is high in calories, fat, and sugar. The protein content is low at just 2g per serve.
The protein comes primarily from the milk ingredients like skim milk powder and whey powder rather than the hazelnuts.
Milk allergy precautions with Nutella
People with a milk allergy need to be very cautious with Nutella due to the risk of an allergic reaction.
Here are some precautions to take:
- Check labels carefully – always read the label to look for allergy warnings.
- Avoid all contact – do not eat Nutella or products containing it.
- Watch for hidden Nutella – e.g. in crepes, waffles, desserts.
- Inform others – ensure friends, family, and food vendors know to avoid any Nutella if cooking for you.
- Carry medication – have emergency allergy medication like an EpiPen on hand.
- Ask about ingredients when dining out – enquire if Nutella is used in any menu items.
- Look for allergy friendly alternatives – see the section below.
Being diligent about label reading and asking questions helps prevent milk allergy reactions to products like Nutella which can catch people unaware.
Nutella and lactose intolerance
Nutella is also unsuitable for people with lactose intolerance, but small amounts may be tolerated by some people depending on the degree of their intolerance.
Lactose intolerance develops when the body loses the ability to properly digest lactose, the sugar found in milk. Undigested lactose can lead to digestive symptoms like bloating, gas, abdominal cramps and diarrhea after consuming milk products.
The level of lactose in Nutella is relatively low due to the addition of skim milk powder and whey powder rather than liquid milk. According to Nutella, one serving (about 2 tablespoons) contains less than 1g of lactose.
However, even small amounts of lactose can cause issues for some people with lactose intolerance. The only way to know if Nutella can be tolerated is through trial and error introduction in small quantities and seeing if any adverse symptoms occur.
Introducing dairy ingredients like Nutella can also lead to a worsening of lactose intolerance over time. So people with lactose intolerance should use caution with Nutella due to the risks of digestive upset.
Alternatives to Nutella for milk allergies or lactose intolerance
For people avoiding dairy, there are several alternatives to Nutella to consider:
- WOWButter – made from roasted soybeans, coconut oil, pea protein, and fava bean protein. Dairy, gluten, nut, and soy free.
- SunButter – made from roasted sunflower seeds. Dairy, gluten, nut, and soy free.
- Cookie butter – made from crushed cookies like Biscoff. Check labels as some brands contain milk.
- Coconut butter – pureed coconut flesh. Dairy, nut, and soy free.
- Seed butters – such as pumpkin or sunflower. Dairy and nut free.
- Hummus – chickpea based dip. Check labels for milk additives.
- Fruit butters – such as apple butter. Ensure it does not contain milk products.
- Dark chocolate spreads – dairy free chocolate spreads made with coconut oil or nut butters. Check labels.
When selecting an alternative spread, always read labels carefully to watch out for hidden milk ingredients. Some nut-free and vegan spreads can still contain milk derivatives.
Making DIY alternatives at home is another option to control ingredients. For example, blending cacao powder, coconut oil, rice malt syrup and your favorite nuts or seeds can make a homemade healthy chocolate spread.
Is Nutella gluten free?
Yes, Nutella is certified gluten free, making it safe for people with celiac disease or gluten intolerances.
Nutella contains no gluten containing ingredients. The hazelnuts, cocoa powder, milk powders and oils used in Nutella are naturally gluten free.
Nutella is tested regularly to ensure no gluten contamination occurs during manufacturing processes.
So Nutella can be enjoyed as part of a gluten free diet, but is not suitable for dairy free diets. Always check Nutella’s gluten free certification remains current on packaging.
Is Nutella peanut free?
Nutella does not contain peanuts, however there is a warning on the label that it may contain traces of peanuts due to manufacturing processes.
The warning states:
“Contains Milk and Hazelnuts. May contain traces of Peanuts and Tree Nuts.”
This is because the facility that manufactures Nutella also handles products containing peanuts. So cross contamination may occur.
For people with a peanut allergy, caution should be taken with Nutella due to potential trace amounts. Individual tolerance levels need to be considered.
Nutella does contain tree nuts (hazelnuts) so should also be avoided by people with tree nut allergies.
Is Nutella vegan?
No, Nutella is not vegan as it contains milk derived ingredients like skim milk powder.
Vegans follow a diet free of any animal products, so the dairy ingredients in Nutella make it unsuitable for vegans.
There are several vegan alternatives to Nutella, including:
- Oatly Hazelnut Spread
- Nocciolata Organic Chocolate Hazelnut Spread
- Bare Hazelnut Chocolate Spread
When checking for vegan suitability, watch out for whey powder or milk derivatives snuck into the ingredients. Always read the labels thoroughly. Making homemade chocolate hazelnut spreads is another option for vegans.
Is Nutella kosher?
Yes, Nutella with the OU Kosher symbol on the packaging is certified Kosher. This makes Nutella suitable for people following a Kosher diet.
For a product to be certified Kosher, it must conform with Jewish dietary regulations.
The use of dairy and meat products are strictly controlled. Dairy products like Nutella are permitted in a Kosher diet. However, they cannot be consumed alongside or immediately before/after meat products.
Nutella is considered pareve in Kosher terms, meaning it contains neither meat or dairy (even though it contains milk derivatives). The small quantities of milk powders are annulled during processing.
However,Nutella produced in countries outside the USA may not be Kosher certified. Checking for a valid Kosher symbol is important.
The website www.oukosher.org can help find places that sell guaranteed Kosher certified Nutella. This allows people following a Kosher diet to enjoy Nutella.
Ways to enjoy Nutella
Despite not being dairy or lactose free, Nutella is widely enjoyed around the world. Here are some of the most popular ways to eat Nutella:
- On toast – spread onto bread or toast for breakfast.
- Filled crepes/waffles – add to crepe batter or fill cooked crepes.
- Nutella hot chocolate – melt into hot milk for a chocolatey drink.
- Banana Nutella crepe cake – layered crepes with Nutella and banana.
- Stuffed French toast – spread on French toast before cooking.
- Nutella mug cake – single serve cakes made in the microwave.
- Hazelnut Nutella cheesecake – spread onto cheesecake base before adding topping.
- Nutella brownies or cookies – swirl Nutella through batter.
- Nutella pancakes – pour into pancake mix or fill cooked pancakes.
- Milkshakes – blend with ice cream and milk.
The rich, chocolatey taste of Nutella enhances both sweet and savory dishes. But it’s ideally suited for breakfasts, desserts and baked treats.
Conclusion
In summary, while Nutella is a popular chocolatey spread, it is not suitable for people with milk allergies, lactose intolerance or who eat a vegan diet due to containing milk ingredients like skim milk powder and whey powder.
Nutella contains milk derivatives for emulsification, texture, protein content and flavor. It is also not peanut free, with a warning it may contain traces of peanuts.
But Nutella is safe for people needing gluten free or Kosher foods, provided it displays certification on the label. Those who can tolerate milk should enjoy Nutella in moderation due to its high sugar, fat and calorie content.
There are several dairy free, vegan and nut free alternatives available for people wishing to recreate the Nutella experience without the negative health impacts. Homemade versions allow ingredients to be controlled.
But for those without milk allergies or intolerances, Nutella can be enjoyed as an occasional treat – just be sure to watch the portion size of this indulgent chocolate hazelnut spread.