Fda Allergen Updates: Why Eggs and Dairy Stand on Separate Regulatory Ground
Can someone with severe lactose intolerance safely eat scrambled eggs?
Yes. Fresh shell eggs contain zero lactose. Unpleasant symptoms only appear if the eggs are cooked with butter, splash of cow's milk, or melted cheese. Cooking eggs in plant oils or clarified fats eliminates lactose exposure entirely.
Why do traditional kosher dietary rules classify eggs as pareve rather than dairy?
Under Jewish dietary laws (kashrut), foods are divided into meat, dairy, and pareve (neutral). Because eggs derive from poultry and contain no milk secretions, kosher authorities classify unfertilized eggs as pareve. This allows them to be eaten with either meat dishes or dairy dishes.
Are commercial plant-based eggs subject to dairy allergen warnings?
No. Commercial plant-based egg replacements made from mung beans, soy, or lupini beans contain neither poultry proteins nor mammalian dairy compounds. However, manufacturers must declare any plant allergens used in the formula, such as soy or tree nuts, under current FDA major food allergen regulations.