Amy Inman-Felton, RD, a researcher for the American Dietetic Association, wrote in her Apr. 1999 article "Overview of Lactose Maldigestion (Lactase Nonpersistence)":

“[L]actose maldigestion does not mean one is allergic to milk, dairy foods or dairy products. A milk allergy is an allergy related to the proteins in milk, not lactose. Lactose maldigestion does not require a lactose-free or severely restricted diet. Dairy products that provide key nutrients such as calcium, vitamins A and D, riboflavin and phosphorus need not be eliminated.”

Apr. 1999