Several messages have stated:
> I am very confused over the terminology of "non-dairy".<
There is every reason that you should be.
The use of the "non-dairy" labeling on foods containing caseinate is
unconscionable and without any justification. It will only cease if
everyone who reads about it will go to the FDA's website and complain at
length. The FDA has the power to change that labeling.
To the best of my knowledge, the "non-dairy" labeled foods are generally
free of lactose (purified caseinate is very low in lactose) so may be OK
for lactose-intolerant individuals, but not for dairy-allergic folk.
The irony is that many of the "non-dairy" foods such as coffee creamers
have hydrogenated vegetable fats, which in terms of general health are
fully as bad or worse than the dairy fats they replace.
Don Maxwell