The invention provides a process for the recovery of lactic acid and products thereof from an aqueous solution containing free lactic acid and at least one lactate salt at a total concentration of at least 5%, the process comprising the steps of: extracting at least 70% of the free lactic acid from the aqueous solution by contacting the solution with a basic extractant, to form a lactic acid-containing extract and a lactic acid-depleted, lactate salt-containing aqueous solution; separating the lactic acid-containing extract from the depleted aqueous solution; and stripping the extracted lactic acid from the extract by methods known per se, to form a solution of lactic acid and a stripped extractant.