Dairy Processing - November/December 2023 - 10

plant-based portfolio that
satisfy different nutritional
needs and consumer
preferences, " he said. " In light
of this, we support the FDA
recognizing the mainstream
acceptance of plant-based food
and beverages and its guidance
that plant-based beverages can
be labeled with common and
usual names, including those
including the term 'milk.' "
According to the PBFA, the
evidence is clear: there is no
confusion around the labeling of
plant-based milks, and consumers
are actively and intentionally
choosing them because they are not
animal-based, said Marjorie Mulhall,
The global
plant-based milk
market is estimated
to reach $47.2
billion by 2033.
Future Market Insights
PBFA's senior director of policy. " The
proposed regulation to add nutrient disclaimers
on plant-based milks is unprecedented and unique,
potentially placing an undue burden on plantbased
milk companies and causing confusion for
consumers, " she said.
What's more, Mulhall continued,
nutritional equivalency is an
inappropriate basis for distinguishing
plant-based milk from animal-based
milk, as different products serve a
variety of intended uses.
" The standard of
identity for milk contains
no requirements concerning
these 'key nutrients,' and
different brands of cow-derived
milks can have different
nutritional content: One cup of
whole milk and one cup of skim
milk typically have different
nutritional profiles, " she said.
" As such, this recommendation
raises more questions than
it answers: What nutrient
levels are considered 'typical'?
Should cow's milk require such
a disclosure statement if it
does not meet that nutritional
baseline? How do these
standards apply to flavored
10 NOV-DEC 2023 | DAIRYPROCESSING.COM
cow's milk products? This approach would sow
confusion across the industry and impose a
significant administrative burden on the FDA. "
With that in mind, Mulhall said, PBFA still
believes that the proposition of voluntary nutrient
statements does risk creating more confusion for
consumers, as nutritional information is already
available for all the products in question on the
existing nutrition facts label.
The FDA affirmed in its recent " Draft
Labeling Recommendations for Plant-based Milk
Alternatives to Inform Consumers " that there is
no consumer confusion around plant-based milk
labeling, a conclusion that aligns with research
PBFA has conducted over the years, Mulhall said.
" It is also significant that the FDA recognized
that consumers understand that plant-based milk
alternatives are distinct products and choose to
purchase plant-based milk alternatives because
they are not cow's milk, " she emphasized.
Mulhall said consumers are increasingly
showing their interest in plant-based milks, as
reflected in their spending habits.
" Plant-based milk holds a dominant position
in the plant-based foods industry, with US
Silk Next Milk, while using 'milk' in its onpack
labeling, has a voluntary disclaimer on
the side panel noting that the product is not
nutritionally equivalent to dairy milk.
©BillionPhotos.com-stock.adobe.com, Dave Gordon
http://www.DAIRYPROCESSING.COM
Dairy Processing - November/December 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Dairy Processing - November/December 2023
