Plant-based milk producers will soon be advised to state on their packaging that their products are less healthy than dairy products.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Wednesday unveiled possible changes to the packaging of dairy alternatives. Under new guidelines, almond, oat and soy milk products will be asked to list their nutritional differences.
The agency said the plant-based alternatives are “nutritionally inferior,” noting that they contain significantly less calcium and vitamin D than dairy.
Officials announced the change today and will allow a two-month public consultation period from now until April 24. The rules are expected to come into force soon after.
The FDA will soon recommend that manufacturers of almond and oat milk put labels on the front of their packages indicating that it is less healthy than cow’s milk
FDA worries many are unaware of potential harms of plant-based milk alternatives to natural cow’s milk (file photo)
“Plant milk alternatives are not milk; They are made from plant material rather than milk secretions from cows,” the FDA wrote in its draft guidance.
“They should not be offered for sale as ‘milk’. Although many plant-based milk alternatives are labeled with names that include the term “milk” (eg, “soy milk”), they are not claimed or presented as milk.
These changes are non-binding and are merely recommendations from America’s leading regulator.
The popularity of dairy alternatives exploded in the late 2010s and early 2020s, fueled by a mix of environmental concerns related to mass farming and a greater awareness of stomach issues such as lactose intolerance.
The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases estimates that nearly 70 percent of the world’s population suffers from some form of lactose intolerance.
Almond milk, the most popular milk alternative, is set to sell $5 billion worldwide by 2022.
This number is expected to increase by eight percent per year over the next ten years.
Other popular milk alternatives include oat, soy and even hemp milk.
What milk should I drink? Experts say oat and almond milk have little nutritional value
Many Americans struggle to make the right decision at the grocery store
The FDA writes that dairy products are an important source of calcium, protein, vitamin A, vitamin D, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, riboflavin, vitamin B-12, zinc, choline and selenium.
Many children suffer from nutritional deficiencies related to these particular vitamins.
“Dairy milk is the nutritional standard,” Luke Corey, a registered dietitian, told DailyMail.com last year.
It is difficult to rely on an alternative [these nutrients].’
The FDA is recommending packaging changes for all products that label themselves as “milk” but do not contain milk.
“The term ‘milk’ may paint a more favorable picture of the nutritional value of plant-based milk alternatives compared to using terms such as ‘beverage’ or ‘beverage,'” the agency writes.
“Product labels for half of the top 10 plant-based milk alternative brands include direct nutritional comparisons with milk, primarily for calcium…but some of these products may contain lower levels of other important nutrients found in milk, including underutilized nutrients,” the FDA continued.
Examples of FDA markings include text on the front of packages – not nutritional information on the back of products.
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Crystal Leahy is an author and health journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a background in health and wellness, Crystal has a passion for helping people live their best lives through healthy habits and lifestyles.
