February 23, 2023 – Plant-based beverages may proceed to be called “milk” under newly proposed FDA guidelines.
One-third of U.S. households now use these beverages, and focus groups assembled by the FDA showed that customers know the products are different from cow's milk but prefer the term “milk” to other options similar to “beverage” or “soft drink,” the FDA said in its Suggestion.
The plant-based beverage market initially offered mainly soy, rice and almond beverages, but has now expanded to incorporate products constituted of cashews, coconuts, flaxseeds, hazelnuts, hemp seeds, macadamia nuts, oats, peas, peanuts, pecans, quinoa and walnuts. The FDA found that the major ingredient in most plant-based beverages is water.
When a plant-based product is labeled “milk,” manufacturers should include an in depth statement about how the product's dietary content compares to cow's milk, the FDA suggested, noting that such a press release is voluntary. The comparative statement is beneficial because most individuals don’t devour enough of the essential nutrients present in conventional dairy products.
“In addition, consumer research shows that while the majority of consumers understand that milk and plant-based milk alternatives are different products, consumers may not understand the nutritional differences between them,” the FDA proposal states. “Consumer research also shows that consumers perceive plant-based milk alternatives labeled with the term 'milk' to be nutritionally more favorable than similar products labeled with terms such as 'beverage' or 'drinks.'”
Between 2010 and 2016, the share of U.S. households purchasing plant-based milk products increased from 20% to 33%, the FDA said. In 2020, U.S. sales of plant-based milk totaled $2.4 billion. In 2018, the FDA began reviewing labeling regulations and has since received greater than 13,000 comments.
“The draft recommendation released today should result in clear labeling being made available to consumers to give them the information they need to make informed nutritional and purchasing decisions about the products they buy for themselves and their families,” said FDA Commissioner Robert M. Califf, MD, in a opinion.
The FDA is collecting feedback on the proposal until April 24.