HTH Worldwide’s COO is in France today and just sent me an urgent email from his BlackBerry. His daughter needs Lactaid®, but they can’t find it anywhere. It would seem that a country that is the world’s largest exporter, the third largest producer and, most importantly, the second largest consumer of cheese would have discovered the benefits of Lactaid®, a dietary supplement that contains a natural lactase enzyme that helps you break down lactose.
From my research, Lactaid® is only available in the U.S. and Canada. There is a great forum discussion that took place in 2005 on Wordreference.com on the subject. It talks about the history of Europe and dairy farming, lactose facts (there is more in milk and ice cream, less in cheese, especially hard cheeses), lactose intolerance levels in different geographic regions and even the availability of public restrooms in Paris. For a much more scientific background, check out the Wikipedia lactose intolerance page.
I am now more aware than ever of lactose intolerance and even learned that February is Lactose Intolerance Awareness Month. I will try not to miss the exciting events next year (things like “Be kind to your bloated, uncomfortable, and sometimes odoriferous workmate” or “Promote a no-cone zone in your lunchroom”).
If you have no tolerance for lactose, don’t leave the U.S. and Canada without your own supply of Lactaid!
Tags: Lactaid, lactose intolerance