FDA recommends nutrient labelling for plant-based milk alternatives

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has recently announced draft recommendations for the naming and labeling of plant-based milk alternatives.

The draft guidance, “Labeling of Plant-based Milk Alternatives and Voluntary Nutrient Statements: Guidance for Industry” recommends that a voluntary nutrient statement be added to any plant-based milk alternative that uses the term “milk” in its name and has a different nutrient composition than milk. This statement should convey how the plant-based product compares to milk based on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service fluid milk substitutes nutrient criteria.

The draft guidance, announced on Feb. 22, 2023, “Labeling of Plant-based Milk Alternatives and Voluntary Nutrient Statements: Guidance for Industry,” allows plant-based milk alternatives to continue to use the word milk in their names, however, it encourages the labeling of those products to inform consumers about the distinction between the nutrient content of those plant-based products in contrast to that of milk. “Food labels are an important way to help support consumer behavior, so we encourage the use of the voluntary nutritional statements to better help customers make informed decisions,” said Susan T. Mayne, Ph.D., director of the FDA’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition.

This FDA recommendation will aid consumers in making informed decisions about their nutrition.

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