FDA calls for comment on plant-based milk label guidance

In 2018, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) asked for public comment to gain insight into how consumers use PBMA products and how they understand the term “milk” when included in the names of products made from soy, peas and nuts. The agency received over 13,000 comments.

After reviewing these comments and conducting focus group studies with consumers, the FDA determined that consumers generally understand that plant-based milk alternatives (PBMA) do not contain milk and choose PBMA because they are not milk. Despite this, many may not be aware of the nutritional differences between milk and PBMA products. For example, almond or oat-based PBMA products may contain calcium and be consumed as a source of calcium, but their overall nutritional content is not similar to milk and fortified soy beverages, thus, they are not part of the dairy group in the Dietary Guidelines, 2020–2025.

The FDA has now issued a draft guidance for appropriate labelling of PBMA for comment.

The FDA recommends that PBMA products that are labelled with the term “milk” in their names, such as “soy milk” or “almond milk”, and that have a nutrient composition that is different to milk, include a voluntary nutrient statement that conveys how the product compares with milk based on USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) fluid milk substitutes nutrient criteria.

The voluntary nutrient statement recommendations don't apply to a PBMA that isn't labelled with “milk” as part of its name nor a PBMA that doesn’t make a claim comparing the product to milk.

This recommendation was informed by both the public comments and focus groups.

Image credit: iStock.com/fermate