FDA suggests cautionary label as world goes nuts for alternative milk

Published 2023년 2월 28일

Tridge summary

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is recommending that manufacturers of non-dairy milks, such as almond, soy, and oat milks, disclose that these products may be nutritionally inferior to cow’s milk. This recommendation comes as these alternative milks are projected to reach a global market of nearly $32 billion this year due to their appeal to those with dairy intolerances and those looking to reduce environmental impact. However, the American Academy of Pediatrics urges caution against exclusive use of these milks, especially for infants, due to their lower nutrient content compared to cow’s milk, and warns that severe nutritional deficiencies have been reported in infants fed only plant-based milk.

Disclaimer:The above summary was generated by Tridge's proprietary AI model for informational purposes.

Original content

With the worldwide market for non-dairy milks forecast to reach nearly $32 billion this year, United States authorities are recommending that dairy alternatives such as almond, soy or oat milks disclose that they may be nutritionally inferior to cow’s milk. Doctors, too, say plant-based milk alternatives aren’t always the healthiest choice, especially for children. The US Food and Drug Administration draft guidance comes as grocers offer dairy alternatives made from an ever-expanding assortment of nuts, cereals and other plants, including coconuts, hemp, oats, peas, quinoa and rice. Worldwide sales of alt-milks are growing steadily, driven both by the needs of consumers who have an intolerance to cow’s milk and the desire of some to reduce the environmental impact. Alt-milks are beverages made, generally, by soaking a base ingredient in water, often after roasting it, then sometimes blanching or steaming it. In a process called wet milling, water is added and the material is ...

Source: Farmersweekly