The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published long-awaited product labeling guidance this week that allows brands to identify plant-based milk products as “milk,” while recommending that they include an additional claim that indicates how the product compares nutritionally to dairy milk.
If the plant-based alternative liquid uses a different qualifier like “drink” or “beverage,” it does not need to adhere to the guidance or include any additional nutrient statements. The agency also recommends that plant-based milk alternatives are labeled with their respective source ingredients such as soy, oat, or almond, rather than simply “plant-based milk.”
“These statements will help consumers make informed dietary choices when it comes to understanding certain nutritional differences between plant-based products that are labeled with ‘milk’ in their names and milk,” explained an FDA statement about the guidance.
The FDA has been working on this guidance since 2018, reporting upwards of 13,000 public comments on the topic since then. Based on that input, the agency determined that the majority of consumers understand that plant-based milk alternatives do not contain any dairy-based milk. However, survey results indicate that 53% of consumers are not readily aware of the nutritional differences between the two types of product.
Additionally, a separate study found that the term “milk” paired with a term like “almond” led consumers to perceive the product as healthier when compared to those labeled “almond drink” or “almond beverage.” That same survey indicated that consumers expect milk alternatives to compare nutritionally to milk even though many alternatives do not naturally offer comparable calcium content, among other nutrients.
As new forms of plant-based milks enter the market, crafted from soy, peas, nuts, seeds and other plant-based ingredients, the agency said it hopes to help inform consumers, improve dietary patterns, reduce the burden of nutrition-related chronic diseases and advance health equity.
When making voluntary nutritional statements on plant-based milk, brands are advised to use The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) fluid milk substitutes nutrient criteria to generate comparison statements. The FDA also noted it has not yet established compositional requirements or a standard of identity for plant-based milk alternatives.
This guidance will remain in a public commentary period for the next 60 days and will be updated in accordance with those comments ahead publication of the final recommendations, though the FDA noted all federal guidance documents are open for public commentary at any point in time.
The labeling of plant-based products has been a hot button issue since the market began to emerge with new innovations beyond the previous lactose-free, soy and almond-based products.
In 2017, the Dairy Pride Act was first introduced to Congress, aiming to prohibit the use of the word “milk” on plant-based alternatives. Though it didn’t gain much traction, it has been introduced numerous times since and in April 2021, was amended with the intent of prohibiting alternative milk, yogurt, cheese and ice cream products from using the qualifiers. The bill is still active, however, it has not achieved any notable milestones since it was reintroduced.