Overview
- The Milchproduktqualitätsverordnung takes effect on Sunday, June 14, 2026, and requires manufacturers to apply the new labeling rules to products made after that date.
- Products may only be labeled “laktosefrei” if they contain less than 0.1 g lactose per 100 g and must show the line “Laktosegehalt: unter 0,1 g/100 g,” with special rules for powdered products that apply the limit to the prepared drink.
- Heat-treatment terms must be standardized on packaging with clear temperature guidance for pasteurised (about 72–75°C), ultrahigh‑temperature (about 135°C) and sterilised (around 100°C) processes and the word “frisch” is limited to milk kept at a maximum of 8°C for no more than three weeks and to certain fermented products for no more than two weeks without re‑heat treatment.
- Labels must list every animal milk used and its percentage share while plant ingredients that replace milk components must be clearly marked; a milk type under 5% may be described as present in a small amount.
- The law restricts adding and advertising vitamins or additives to stop sugary products from appearing healthy, forces retailers and makers to relabel quickly, and bundles several older milk rules into one unified standard to give shoppers clearer, more reliable information.