Does milk contain sulphites or benzalkonium chloride?
Plain milk does not contain sulphites or benzalkonium chloride. However, sulphites may be added to flavoured or modified milk products as allowed by food standards.
Last updated 30/01/2025
Many people wonder about the ingredients in milk. Plain milk, like full cream or pure liquid milk, has no added ingredients. However, other milk products, such as flavoured milk, fortified milk, or lactose-free milk, may contain additional ingredients for flavour or nutritional purposes.
Sulphites, for example, are derived from the addition of sulphur dioxide to foods when they are a permitted food additive (as specified in the FSANZ Food Standards Code). In the case of pure liquid milk, also known as full cream milk, the addition of sulphites is not permitted. However, it is allowed in flavoured liquid milk and liquid milk products (any modification from full cream milk). Sulphites can only be used at levels as stated in the Food Standards Code and must be included in the ingredient list on the product label and the allergen declaration.
As for benzalkonium chloride, it’s a chemical used in some cleaning agents but is not permitted as a food additive. It’s also not allowed for use on dairy farms, so you won’t find it in any milk products.
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