Is there lactose in brie?
Virtually none — creamy but safe.
Brie feels rich and creamy, but it's actually very low in lactose. The mould-ripening that gives it that bloomy rind also consumes almost all the lactose, so it's one of the friendlier cheeses.
Brie surprises people. It’s soft, rich and creamy — everything you’d expect to spell trouble. Yet it’s one of the lowest-lactose cheeses on the board. The creaminess is fat, not milk sugar, and the mould-ripening that gives brie its bloomy white rind quietly breaks down almost all the lactose along the way.
Also safe: the same goes for camembert — it’s a near-twin of brie, mould-ripened and just as low. Baked camembert is safer than it looks.
How much lactose is in brie?
Brie contains under 0.1 g of lactose per 100 g — essentially nil in a 30 g wedge. The ripening sees to that, which is why even sensitive people usually tolerate it comfortably.
| Food | Lactose per 100 g | Per typical serve |
|---|---|---|
| Brie | <0.1 g | ~0 g (30 g) |
| Cream cheese | 2–3.6 g | ~0.6–1.1 g (30 g) |
| Cow's milk | 4.8 g | ~12 g (250 mL) |
Figures compiled from food-composition databases — see the full lactose chart & sources.
When to take a little care
Very large amounts, or a “brie-style” processed spread with added milk solids, could differ. But a normal serve of real brie is one of the easy wins — see the full chart for how it compares.
If brie isn't handy, reach for…
Common questions
Is brie OK for lactose intolerance?
Is brie or camembert lower in lactose?
Why is creamy brie low in lactose?
Want the full picture? Grab our free Living Lactose-Free in Australia cheat sheet — it sorts 60+ foods like this one so you never have to guess at the supermarket again.