Lactose intolerant- Should coffee shops let you use your own milk?

[user1482318946]

Hello,

What are people's view on this reply from Caffè Nero on enquiring if I could bring in my own (unopened) lactose free milk (it's still cows milk but with an added enzyme to aid digestion, so harmless to anyone who can drink cows milk) as I'm also intolerant to soya. This is the response:

"Unfortunately it is against our policy to allow customers to bring their own milk in store, firstly due to the risk of cross contamination and secondly a lack of understanding the ingredients within the milk.
We enforce strict H&S procedures to ensure the safety of all our customers.

Thank you for your message, and we hope to welcome you into our stores again very soon"

Thank you

I don't think they should no. However I doubt they'd notice if you got a black coffee and put your own milk in at the table.

Some indy coffee shops may have other plant milks available as well as soy.

Depends what you want it for tbh, to just pop yourself into the cup of coffee? Or for them to use in their equipment to make you a latte for instance. First, fine, latter, not fine for the reasons they state.

You could lobby for them to provide a suitable milk in their shops?

Well there's equal risk of cross contamination whatever milk they use surely? If they are cleaning properly and following guidelines then it shouldn't he a problem one would have thought.

Given many who can't have dairy also have problem with soya and soya is rank I do think that alternatives should he available anyway.

I don't see what harm it could do tbh.

If you brought in a sealed carton that is clearly in date then I don't see how that would he an issue at all

I have thought about this before as well as I am lactose intolerant and don't get on with soy milk (I'm actually low fodmap). I really miss a good latte or cappacino. However, I think they have a point about the food safety. They will have very strict rules about how their milk is stored and such like. Its a shame, but I can understand why they won't do it.

Maybe you should suggest they stock lactose free milk as standards. Thanks would be awesome!

They absolutely can't use your milk for reasons already stated - food hygiene and health and safety laws mean they would be severely penalised if they did. Apart from anything else, they have no way of knowing how long your Lactofree milk will have been out of the fridge. They can't just go on your say so.

Have you tried the Cafe Nero/other chain coffee shops' soy coffees (all major chains offer soy as a lactose-free alternative)? They're considerably more palatable than when you use soy at home - I honestly can't taste the difference, especially in a flavoured coffee or mocha. Starbucks also have coconut milk in some branches.

Isn't the Lactose free stuff available in the long life section?

So would presenting an unopened carton of longline get round that?

After all they'd have no less idea about what happened to it as they do the soya stuff befire it gets to them?

Bit defiantly agree lactose free and alternatives to soya should be available anyway. Given cmpi is more common than LI and nearly half of people with cmpi are also tolerant to soya

Intolerant

I'm vegan and always buy black coffee and add my own soya milk, I use a 300ml flask that fits in my handbag. Been doing this for years and never had a problem. A few regular cafes take it and make me a latte. Why did you ask them? Did you want them to steam it or just not be challenged by staff by producing your own from under the table (like I do!)?

Thank you everyone for your thoughts. Well originally I was buying a black coffee then adding my own milk under the table the same as someone suggested then I decided to ask if my local Nero would make me a latte using my own milk and they agreed. However, on visiting another store they flat out refused to even let me add my own milk and drink in store so I had to have my coffee in a take away cup and leave, hence I contacted HQ to find out their policy. I personally can't see a problem and the reply seemed a tad OTT after all it's only me consuming the drink, but was also interested in others views especially as lactose and soya intolerance is so common. Definitely considering a lobby!

Starbucks do coconut milk now by the way.