This is the flagship post in our dairy-free probiotics section, which I like to keep updated! Finding dairy-free probiotic supplements used to be a challenge, but these days there are quite a few options. Technically, probiotics themselves are free of all food. They’re live bacteria and yeasts that occur naturally in our digestive tracts. But two primary food issues can arise with probiotic supplements.
Probiotics and Dairy
Getting live bacteria to our guts without a transport system would be next to impossible. To create a functional probiotic pill, manufacturers use binders, fillers, and coatings. These bulking ingredients can include food, like dairy. Most of the time it’s lactose (milk sugar), but other dairy ingredients might be used. Nonetheless, these “inactive ingredients” should be clearly visible on the label.
But there is a second concern with probiotics and dairy. The probiotic strains themselves must be grown on a medium, and that medium is sometimes dairy. The bacteria is removed from the medium, and in theory shouldn’t be problematic for most people with a dairy issue. Probiotic bacteria itself doesn’t contain properties, like proteins, of the medium it was grown on. However, there can be trace cross-contamination concerns, and vegans might object to dairy being used in the process. Like food, it’s important to contact the manufacturer to find out if their processes are safe and suitable for your needs.
If you see a probiotic that states “contains milk,” even though the ingredients appear to be dairy-free, it’s reasonable to assume that one or more of the strains might have been grown on a dairy medium. But it’s important to contact the manufacturer to confirm if you are dairy-free and still considering the supplement.
The Bacteria Itself is Not Milk
Don’t let the names of the different bacteria fool you. You will see probiotic strains called lactobacillus acidophilus (L. acidophilus), lactobacillus casei (L. casei), and bifidobacterium lactis (B. lactis). But in the world of bacteria, lactobacillus and and lactis doesn’t mean it contains lactose, and casei isn’t referring specifically to casein. And these types of bacteria weren’t necessarily grown on a dairy medium. In fact, these bacteria naturally occur in the human gut, even in those of us who are dairy free!
The Best Dairy-Free Probiotic Supplements
These are probiotics that are marketed as dairy-free, we have used ourselves, and/or have been able to confirm as dairy-free. As I learn more about these products, I will add information. And always contact the manufacturer to confirm the product’s safety for your needs, particularly if dealing with a severe food allergy. This is for informational purposes only, and it must not replace your doctor’s recommendation or your own due diligence.
Klaire Labs Ther-Biotic Complete
This brand was recommended to me by my doctor more than a decade ago. He touted it as a medically-backed, trustworthy company, and we’ve used their products over the years. Most of their probiotic supplements are labeled as “hypoallergenic.” It comes in both capsule and powder formats.
- Bacteria Strains: Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus salivarius, Bifidobacterium longum, Streptococcus thermophiles, Lactobacillus bulgaricus, Lactobacillus paracasei, Bifidobacterium lactis, Bifidobacterium breve
- Bacteria Count: 25 billion (1 capsule)
- Product is Labeled As: Free of the following common allergens: milk/casein, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, gluten, and soybeans.
- Storage: Refrigerated
Jetson Probiotics (select varieties)
I like the idea of a probiotics based on the seasons. You can buy these one time, or ongoing to keep you on track. I also like how transparent this company is. Their Fit, Outside, and Immunity probiotics are dairy-free and vegan (they’re also gluten-free and top allergen-free), but they are clear that the Mood variety contains a strain that is grown on a dairy medium.
- Bacteria Strains: (varies by type; the following is for Outside) Bacillus subtilis DE111, Bifidobacterium lactis Bl-07, Bifidobacterium longum Bl-05, Lactobacillus gasseri Lg-36, Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, Bifidobacterium bifidum Bb-06, Bifidobacterium animalis lactis Bb-12, Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM
- Bacteria Count: Fit 7.5 billion (1 capsule); Immunity: 16 billion (1 capsule); Outside: 20 billion (1 capsule)
- Product is Labeled As: See note above.
- Storage: Refrigerated
GoodBelly Probiotic Supplement
You might know this company for probiotic shots and juices, but GoodBelly also has a probiotic supplement. Like their drinks, these supplements are marketed as dairy free, and I have used them myself.
- Bacteria Strains: LP299V (lactobacillus plantarum 299v)
- Bacteria Count: 10 billion (1 capsule)
- Product is Labeled As: Vegan, Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, Soy-Free
- Storage: Shelf-stable
MegaFood MegaFlora Probiotic Supplements
According to MegaFood, “All of our products are tested and verified to be free of gluten, in addition to dairy and soy.” I’ve spoken with representatives from their company, and was very impressed by their commitment to quality and dairy-free testing. They have a small range of dairy-free probiotic supplements for men, women, and different ages, but I’m focusing on their base MegaFlora blend.
- Bacteria Strains: Bifidobacterium lactis, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus salivarius, Lactobacillus brevis, Lactobacillus bulgaricus, Lactobacillus gasseri, Lactobacillus lactis, Bifidobacterium longum, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Bifidobacterium infantis, Streptococcus thermophiles
- Bacteria Count: 20 billion (1 capsule)
- Product is Labeled As: Vegan, Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, Soy-Free
- Storage: Refrigerated
Ora “trust your gut” Vegan Probiotics
It’s hard to find dairy-free probiotic supplements with L. reuteri, which has been touted for women’s health. So this vegan brand is a find. I only wish it contained L. rhamnosus too. Nonetheless, it does contain organic prebiotics from Jerusalem artichoke.
- Bacteria Strains: Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus reuteri, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Bifidobacterium breve, Bifidobacterium lactis, Bifidobacterium longum
- Bacteria Count: 16 billion (2 capsules)
- Product is Labeled As: Vegan, Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, Soy-Free
- Storage: Shelf-stable
Yuve Vegan Probiotic Gummies
If you don’t do pills, and have a sweet tooth, then probiotic gummies might be your answer. A lot of vegan supplement gummies fall short in taste and texture, but these are loved by most people. Surprisingly, these gummies should be refrigerated. If you need a shelf-stable vegan probiotic gummy option, Vibin might work well.
- Bacteria Strains: Bacillus coagulans
- Bacteria Count: 5 billion (2 gummies)
- Product is Labeled As: Vegan, Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, Soy-Free, Sugar-Free
- Storage: Refrigerated
Dr. Bo’s Advanced Strength Probiotic
These dairy-free probiotic supplements are recommended for men, women, and kids, because they are very small, easy-to-swallow capsules. But check with your pediatrician – they might not want your child to take 2 capsules.
- Bacteria Strains: Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus salivarius, Lactobacillus bulgaricus,Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus brevis, Bifidobacterium lactis, Bifidobacterium longum
- Bacteria Count: 4.4 billion (2 capsules)
- Product is Labeled As: Vegan, Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, Allergen-Free
- Storage: Shelf-stable
Dairy-Free Probiotic Supplements Specifically for Kids
Consult a pediatrician to find out if your child is old enough for, or needs, dairy-free probiotic supplements.
Klaire Labs Ther-Biotic Children’s Chewable
This variety of “hypoallergenic” dairy-free probiotic supplements is similar to Ther-Biotic Complete, but it comes in a chewable cherry flavored tablet. It also has a different range of strains that I assume are more suited to little tummies. The manufacturer states that this probiotic is designed for children 2 years of age and older.
- Bacteria Strains: Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus salivarius, Lactobacillus paracasei, Bifidobacterium infantis, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Bifidobacterium longum, Bifidobacterium breve
- Bacteria Count: 25 billion (1 tablet)
- Product is Labeled As: Free of the following common allergens: milk/casein, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, gluten, and soybeans.
- Storage: Refrigerated
MegaFlora Kids Probiotic
This dairy-free brand also has a popular kids probiotic supplement, which they say was created with kids aged 5 and up in mind. It appears to be a “light” version of their MegaFlora flagship probiotic.
- Bacteria Strains: Bifidobacterium lactis, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus salivarius, Lactobacillus brevis, Lactobacillus bulgaricus, Lactobacillus gasseri, Lactobacillus lactis, Bifidobacterium longum, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Bifidobacterium infantis, Streptococcus thermophiles
- Bacteria Count: 5 billion (1 capsule)
- Product is Labeled As: Vegan, Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, Soy-Free
- Storage: Refrigerated
Renew Life Ultimate Flora Kids Probiotic
This is one of the most popular kids brands of probiotics, and its a great dairy-free, gluten-free, and sugar-free option. Both kids (over 2 years of age) and adults seem to like the berry-licious flavor. If your child prefers gummies, Renew Life does make Ultimate Flora Kids Probiotic Gummies. They are also dairy-free (and soy-free) and well-loved for taste and texture, but they do contain wheat and gelatin and have less probiotics (strains and overall quantity) than these chewables.
- Bacteria Strains: Bacillus coagulans, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium lactis, Bifidobacterium breve, Lactobacillus salivarius, Lactobacillus plantarum
- Bacteria Count: 3 billion (1 tablet)
- Product is Labeled As: Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, Sugar-Free
- Storage: Shelf-stable but best if refrigerated
Pure Encapsulations Probiotic 123 Powder
This is a pediatric product, formulated specifically for kids, and recommended for ages 1 and up. But many adults love this probiotic too. Powders like this can be added to smoothies or spreads for a seamless, pill-free delivery.
- Bacteria Strains: Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Bifidobacterium lactis
- Bacteria Count: 2.25 billion (.5 gram scoop)
- Product is Labeled As: Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, Soy-Free, Hypoallergenic
- Storage: Refrigerated
Always consult your physician before beginning a probiotic regimen. This post is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. At the time of our review, the products above were dairy-free. We do our best to keep information updated, but, ingredients, processes, and products are subject to change at any time, and without our knowledge. Always read the label in full, and contact the manufacturer about their processes. Only you can decide what is safe for your needs.
What Are Your Favorite Dairy-Free Probiotic Supplements?
Comment and share your favorite brand of vegan, hypoallergenic, or dairy-free probiotic supplements.
For More Dairy-Free Guidance, Get Go Dairy Free!
