Is there lactose in camembert?
Virtually none — even baked.
Camembert is soft and rich but very low in lactose. Like its cousin brie, the mould-ripening breaks down almost all the milk sugar — so a baked camembert night is friendlier than it looks.
That gooey baked camembert you were eyeing off? Go for it. Camembert is the classic soft, bloomy-rind French cheese — rich, creamy, and exactly the kind of thing you’d assume is a lactose landmine. It isn’t. The creaminess is fat, and the white-mould ripening that softens camembert also breaks down nearly all the lactose.
Good to know: baking it doesn’t change the lactose — heat won’t create milk sugar. A warm, melty camembert is just as gentle as a cold one; watch what you dip in it more than the cheese itself.
How much lactose is in camembert?
Camembert contains under 0.1 g of lactose per 100 g — essentially nil in a 30 g serve. The ripening handles that, which is why even sensitive people usually enjoy it without trouble.
| Food | Lactose per 100 g | Per typical serve |
|---|---|---|
| Camembert | <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 “camembert-style” processed spreads with added milk solids, could differ. But a normal serve of real camembert is one of the easy wins — compare it on the full chart.
If camembert isn't handy, reach for…
Common questions
Is camembert OK for lactose intolerance?
Is baked camembert high in lactose?
Is camembert or brie lower 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.