Lactose monohydrate is the crystalline form of lactose (a sugar found in milk and milk products). It is composed of the simple sugars galactose and glucose bonded together. It exists in two forms that have different chemical structures (alpha- & beta-lactose). It is in the form of dry, white or pale yellow powder that has a slightly sweet taste and smells similar to milk. Lactose monohydrate is commonly used as a food additive and filler in pharmaceutical products, where it binds to the active drug in a medication so that it can be formed into a pill or tablet that can be easily swallowed. It is also added to infant formulas, packaged snacks, frozen meals, and processed cookies, cakes, pastries, soups, and sauces, as well as several other foods. Its primary purpose is to add sweetness or act as a stabilizer to help ingredients that don’t mix, such as oil and water, stay together.