title: The Lactose and Galactose Content of Cheese Suitable for Galactosaemia: New Analysis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The UK Medical Advisory Panel of the Galactosaemia Support Group report the lactose and galactose content of 5 brands of mature Cheddar cheese, Comte and Emmi Emmental fondue mix from 32 cheese samples. The Medical Advisory Panel define suitable cheese in galactosaemia to have a lactose and galactose content consistently below 10 mg/100 g.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 32 samples (5 types of mature Cheddar cheese, Comte and "Emmi Swiss Fondue", an emmental fondue mix) were analysed by high-performance anion exchange chromatography with pulsed amperometric detection (HPAEC-PAD) technology used to perform lactose and galactose analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Cheddar cheese types: Valley Spire West Country, Parkham, Lye Cross Vintage, Lye Cross Mature, Tesco West Country Farmhouse Extra Mature and Sainsbury's TTD West Country Farmhouse Extra Mature had a lactose and galactose content consistently below 10 mg/100 g (range <0.05 to 12.65 mg). All Comte samples had a lactose content below the lower limit of detection (<0.05 mg) with galactose content from <0.05 to 1.86 mg/100 g; all samples of Emmi Swiss Fondue had lactose below the lower limit of detection (<0.05 mg) and galactose between 2.19 and 3.04 mg/100 g.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  All of these cheese types were suitable for inclusion in a low galactose diet for galactosaemia. It is possible that the galactose content of cheese may change over time depending on its processing, fermentation time and packaging techniques.
authors.affiliation: Medical Advisory Panel, Galactosaemia Support Group, Birmingham, UK.
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Portnoi
authors.affiliation: Birmingham Children's Hospital, Steelhouse Lane, Birmingham, B4 6NH, UK. anita.macdonald@bch.nhs.uk.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: MacDonald
keywords: Cheese; Comte; Galactosaemia; Galactose; Lactose; Mature Cheddar