Was surprised to see it in some frozen meatballs recently.. you couldn't taste it in there but there was cheese in them.

Another was a taco seasoning mix a family member wanted me to use which contained "dairy and whey".

Bread! I've made my own sandwich bread for a few months, but the recipe has powdered milk, and this loaf is barely started (made it before going DF). I'm going to the store today and I guess Freihofer's brand is both milk-free and HFCS-free, but I bought a package of Pepperidge Farms sandwich buns for homemade veggie burgers that I planned for dinner tonight, and they have milk in them! I'm now having trouble finding a sandwich bun made without milk and HFCS. I can just see myself standing in the bread aisle for like an hour reading labels and trying to find one. Though I'm thinking I'll just leave the buns I have for my boyfriend and eat by burger on pita bread or something.

Bread! I've made my own sandwich bread for a few months, but the recipe has powdered milk, and this loaf is barely started (made it before going DF). I'm going to the store today and I guess Freihofer's brand is both milk-free and HFCS-free, but I bought a package of Pepperidge Farms sandwich buns for homemade veggie burgers that I planned for dinner tonight, and they have milk in them! I'm now having trouble finding a sandwich bun made without milk and HFCS. I can just see myself standing in the bread aisle for like an hour reading labels and trying to find one. Though I'm thinking I'll just leave the buns I have for my boyfriend and eat by burger on pita bread or something.

Bread is public enemy number one for me. It's so frustrating... I went out to dinner the other day and wanted to treat myself to a burger (I had the calories left) - but this restaurant put milk in their batter for anything fried, they put buttermilk in the frier, and the burger buns had milk in them. I was forced into a Salad, which wasn't so bad, but I really wanted to treat myself.

Also, this is the 3rd restaurant I've been to recently that said they put milk in their friers, so that's something else to watch out for... no french fries or onion rings or chicken wings (not that we should really be eating that, but it was just interesting to know).

Taco seasoning is a definite!
http://www.adventuresofaglutenfreemom.com/2010/03/ortega-taco-seasoning/

Try this recipe for homemade taco seasoning
Ingredients

1 Tablespoon Chili Powder
1 1/2 Teaspoons Ground Cumin
1 1/2 Teaspoon Garlic Powder
1 1/2 Teaspoon Onion Powder
1/4 Teaspoon Cayenne
1 Teaspoon Paprika
1 Teaspoon Salt
Instructions

Mix all ingredients together in a small bowl.
When ready to use the seasoning, add 3/4 cup water along with the seasoning blend.
Bring to a boil
Reduce heat to medium to medium low and simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Walmart USDA choice steak! Who would think a steak? All I had was a potato with my fake butter (absolutely no dairy), and the steak. I got totally sick. When I looked online it listed "natural flavoring" in the ingredients. And we all know that can be just about anything. I knew some processed meats can contain milk protiens that may not be listed on the lable; but this was indeed a sneak attack!

Probiotics without dairy

The brand "Nutrition Now" PB8 has a vegetarian formula that is milk free. You have to read the label carefully, because the non-vegetarian product has milk. I buy them at The Vitamin Shoppe.

I couldn't believe how many butter-free spreads have buttermilk or other milk products in it. It's like every single thing has to be scrutinized. Then there was this creamy lentil stuff that tastes just like chili. I ate it like 3 days in a row, wondering why I was feeling so congested, and then realized it had actual cream in it. I could swear that the person doing the demo said it was vegan, but maybe she just said vegetarian.

Then there was the time I went to Applebees, thinking that I'd find a wide array of options. Except that there were only two items I could choose from, and then I found out they'd sauteed the onion slice in butter.

Or this golf course restaurant, which had only two options - grilled chicken or grilled fish. I got the grilled chicken. I also asked if they had plain rice instead of rice pilaf, and I was told, "No, I'm sorry, we don't." So I said just steamed green beans and grilled chicken. I figured out that they actually drenched both in butter Then I happened to look over at my coworker, and he had black beans and rice - with plain rice! I could have ordered that and asked them to hold the beans.

Over the years - I have learned, sooo many kinds of hotdogs. Salen's for the win!

Zyrtec allergy medicine was most recent surprise. I'm part of the Utah Food Allergy group and those moms are very on top of what foods have what. They are always listing which foods/places have or don't have all the different allergens. It has been a life saver!
Once when traveling we thought we would stop at an Olive Garden. I'm pretty sure the only thing on the menu I could have was a plain chicken breast. I've found that anything "Italian" will always have some kind of dairy, even just marinara.
As I read through this thread I realized there may be foods that I've eaten that did have dairy. I never thought about steaks or hotdogs.

@proudmymmysj sweeteners have dairy in them. I know I get sick from some sugar alchols - but I didn't know there are hidden dairy in them - which products?