Is Oat Milk Healthier?! FDA Drafts Requirements for Clear Nutritional Labeling on Plant-Based Milk Products

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In recent years, more and more plant-based milk companies have successfully targeted Gen Z's focus on "health," "ethics," and "environmental protection" by emphasizing "environmental friendliness," "health benefits," and "milk alternatives."

With buyers and sellers reaching a mutual understanding, plant-based milks have led the trend. As dairy alternatives become more widespread, the use of plant-based milks has become increasingly frequent, especially oat milk.

In the coffee industry, plant-based milk seems to have become an indispensable choice. Many customers visiting coffee shops often ask first whether oat milk options are available. When such options aren't provided, people frequently ask why plant-based milk isn't offered, arguing that it's healthier and more nutritious!

With the growing demand for plant-based milk, a medical doctor has noted that the increasing demand isn't primarily due to lactose intolerance but rather because of following trends. In reality, most people don't understand the nutritional content or whether these products are actually healthy.

Therefore, it's believed that plant-based milk packaging should provide clear labeling to give consumers the information they need, enabling them to make informed nutritional and purchasing decisions for themselves and their families.

To address this, on February 22nd, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released a draft industry guidance for naming plant-based foods marketed and sold as milk alternatives.

The draft mentions that the plant-based milk industry frequently uses the term "milk alternative," but their nutritional composition differs from milk. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service fluid milk alternative nutrition standards, plant-based milk packaging should indicate how the product compares to milk. For example, labels might state, "Contains lower amounts of vitamin D and calcium than milk."

Dairy products, including milk, are recommended by dietary guidelines as part of a healthy diet because milk provides multiple key nutrients, including protein and vitamins A and B-12, as well as calcium, potassium, and vitamin D, which are currently underconsumed. The dietary guidelines only include fortified soy beverages in the dairy group because their nutritional composition is similar to milk.

Other plant-based milks (including plant-based beverages made from nuts, coconut, oats, soybeans other than soy, etc.) contain nutritional components that differ significantly from milk and therefore cannot serve as "milk alternatives."

A medical doctor from the FDA stated: "Getting adequate nutrition from milk and fortified soy beverages is particularly important for helping children grow and develop. Parents and caregivers should know that many plant-based alternatives contain different nutrients than milk.

Therefore, clearly labeling the nutritional content of plant-based milks and providing comparisons is extremely necessary. Labels provide valuable information to help consumers choose healthier foods."

Are plant-based milks really healthier than milk? Currently, most plant-based milk packaging only indicates the content of fat, protein, fiber, and sugar. This information doesn't directly reflect the complete nutritional composition of plant-based milks.

Commercial plant-based milk production typically involves adding vegetable oils and sugars to enhance the smooth texture and taste of the final product. With equivalent consumption, vegetable oils and fructose are more likely to lead to obesity and cardiovascular diseases compared to milk fat and lactose found in animal milk.

Image source: Internet

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