Milk Labels Decoded

What A2/A2 Actually Means (And What It Doesn't)

Walk through the dairy aisle these days, and it can feel like you need a decoder ring just to choose a gallon of milk. From “lactose-free” to “ultra-filtered,” “organic,” “grass-fed,” and now — A2/A2 — it’s no wonder people are left wondering:

What do these labels actually mean? And what’s right for me?

At Snowville Creamery, we believe food labels should empower you — not confuse you. So we’re breaking down one of the most misunderstood ones: A2/A2 dairy.

🧬 First, What Is A2/A2?

Milk naturally contains a protein called beta-casein, and there are two common types: A1 and A2.

Most milk on the market today contains a mix of A1 and A2 proteins. But studies suggest that for some people, A1 protein may cause digestive discomfort similar to lactose intolerance — even though it has nothing to do with lactose.

A2/A2 milk, on the other hand, comes from cows that only produce the A2 type of beta-casein. It’s genetically closer to the milk our ancestors drank and is easier on the gut for many people.

🧪 How Do We Know It’s Really A2/A2?

It starts with genetics. Every cow has two copies of the beta-casein gene. At Snowville, every cow in our partner farmer's herd is tested and confirmed to be A2/A2 — meaning they carry two copies of the A2 gene and produce only A2 beta-casein in their milk.

That’s how we can proudly say our milk is 100% A2/A2 — from cow to cream.

🚫 What A2/A2 Doesn’t Mean

Let’s clear up a few common misconceptions:

A2/A2 is NOT lactose-free.

Lactose is a sugar; A2 is a protein. If you’re lactose intolerant, A2/A2 milk may not solve the problem — but if you have issues with regular milk and test negative for lactose intolerance, A2/A2 might be worth a try.

A2/A2 doesn’t mean organic.

The A2 label only refers to the type of protein in the milk. At Snowville, we go a step further — using milk from grass-fed cows — but that’s not standard with all A2 brands.

A2/A2 isn’t just marketing.

It’s backed by real science and real digestive relief for many people. But it only matters if the cows are genetically tested, and not all companies do that thoroughly. We do — and always will.

🥛 How Does A2/A2 Compare to Other Dairy Labels?

Here’s a quick cheat sheet to help you decode the dairy aisle:

✅ Why We Believe in A2/A2

At Snowville Creamery, we didn’t jump on the A2/A2 bandwagon — we made a long-term commitment. Our partner farmers' herd is entirely A2/A2, and every bottle of our milk, yogurt, buttermilk, and crème fraîche reflects that.

Why? Because we want people to enjoy dairy again — and for many, A2/A2 is the key.

It’s just one more way we’re making milk the way it should be: clean, simple, easy to love.

💬 Still Have Questions About A2/A2?

Drop us a line or tag us on social. We’re always happy to talk about milk — especially when it helps your tummy feel better.

Want to read more about A2/A2 science? Check out our blog post Love Your Tummy with A2/A2 Dairy!