Labeling Nondairy Milk Alternatives

Member Exclusive Content

Sign up to be a member to access this content.

Join now!

Already a member? Login

These days, it seems like you can make milk out of anything. But should companies be able to call the liquid from oats or soybeans “milk”? The dairy industry has long argued on the no side saying that nondairy milk concoctions made from almonds, cashews and other plant material should not be allowed to be labeled as milk. It argues that they are not as nutritious as dairy milk and will confuse consumers into thinking they are the same.

Finally weighing in on the matter, The Food and Drug Administration, the agency that oversees food labeling standards, has released a draft guidance that proposes companies can continue to use the word milk to market these nondairy alternatives, but they also should include a statement that explains how the product compares nutritionally with dairy milk.

For instance, an almond milk label may state: “contains lower amounts of vitamin D and calcium than milk.” The agency found that calling plant-based dairy alternatives by the term milk is not deceptive to consumers and that this new labeling initiative will be a voluntary, nonbinding recommendation.

According to the FDA, one in three American households reported purchasing alternative milk products in 2016, and sales of plant-based milk products rose from $1.5 billion to $2.4 billion from 2016 to 2020. Consumption of cow’s milk has trended in the opposite direction.

Share your thoughts: Should plant-based drinks be able to use the terminology “milk”? Since the FDA found that the majority of consumers understand that plant-based milk alternatives do not contain actual milk, do you think any labeling changes are needed? Should producers of nondairy drinks be required to confess any nutritional weaknesses? Do you still consume cow’s milk or are you using nondairy alternatives? Send your answers to content@ideafit.com.

See also: Nutrients in Plant-Based Milks