Is Leche sin lactosa chocolate Vegan?

The Ingredient Breakdown

To understand why this product fails the vegan test, we need to look past the "lactose-free" label and examine the source material. The very first ingredient listed is Leche natural parcialmente descremada (partially skimmed natural milk). This is the base of the product, derived from animals. Even though the lactose has been enzymatically broken down, the milk solids remain.

The second ingredient listed is proteínas lácteas (milk proteins). These are concentrated dairy solids, often used to improve texture and protein content. Both of these ingredients are strictly animal-derived.

Regarding the sweeteners and additives: Fructosa (fructose) is a plant-derived sugar, and the sweeteners Estevia (stevia) and Sucralosa are synthetic or plant-based and generally considered vegan. The cacao is plant-based. However, the presence of lactasa (lactase enzyme) is the key to its "sin lactosa" claim. This enzyme breaks down lactose into glucose and galactose. While the enzyme itself is often produced via fermentation (which can be vegan), the substrate it acts upon—the milk—is not.

Finally, the vitaminas (vitamins) include D3. Vitamin D3 is frequently derived from lanolin (sheep's wool) or fish oil. While vegan D3 exists (from lichen), it is rarely used in mass-market dairy products due to cost. Therefore, the vitamin D3 here is likely animal-derived as well.

Nutritional Value

From a nutritional standpoint, this product is designed to be a lighter alternative to standard chocolate milk. By removing the lactose, it becomes digestible for those with intolerance, but the caloric and macronutrient profile remains similar to other sweetened dairy beverages.

Because it uses fructosa and artificial sweeteners like sucralosa, the sugar content is managed, but it is not a "zero sugar" product. The presence of milk proteins ensures a decent protein intake, typical of dairy. It is fortified with Vitamin A, D3, and E, which adds nutritional value, particularly for bone health. However, because it is a processed food containing espesantes (thickeners) like carrageenan and cellulose, it should be consumed in moderation as part of a balanced diet.