Dairy Processing - November/December 2023 - 9

FDA's proposal to include a list of nutrients on
the front of the container for plant-based milk
alternatives is insufficient as a solution and
onerous for consumers.
As a result, IDFA recommended the FDA
include an on-package statement about the
nutritional difference between milk and plantbased
alternatives.
" For several years, IDFA has been
advocating for the FDA to issue industry
guidance that aligns with its standards that
foods must be labeled in a truthful and nonmisleading
way while also advancing the
nutrition security of all Americans, " said
Roberta Wagner, senior vice president of
regulatory and scientific affairs, IDFA. " For
example, stating how nutrients differ from
those found in milk in the manner proposed by
the FDA would make it difficult for consumers
to do side-by-side comparisons of nutrients in
non-dairy beverages and milk and may further
confuse consumers. Consumers should not need
an advanced college degree in nutrition to make
purchasing decisions. "
IDFA recently submitted comments to the
FDA in support of the agency's position that
consumers need additional clarity on the labels
of plant-based " milk " alternatives, such as " soy
milk " and " almond milk, " to more easily discern
when these beverages are nutritionally different
from milk.
" As an
alternative, IDFA
recommends
FDA include a
simple declarative
statement about
the nutritional
difference
between milk
and plant-based
milk alternatives
and encourage
consumers to
use the nutrition
information on the
existing Nutrition
Facts Panel of nondairy
beverages to
make purchasing
decisions that are right for themselves and their
families, " Wagner said.
The NMPF, Arlington, Va., said in comments
submitted to the agency in July of this year
that while the draft guidance on plant-based
beverages acknowledges the public health
concern regarding nutritional confusion, it
falls woefully short of ending the decades-old
problem of misleading plant-based labeling
using dairy terminology. The organization
emphasized the importance of transparent
product labeling to ensure consumer
understanding and informed purchasing
decisions, and urged FDA to take prompt
enforcement action against misbranded nondairy
beverages that resemble milk.
CONFUSION IN QUESTION
Danone North America, White Plains, NY, one
of the largest US dairy processors which also
manufactures a variety of plant-based alternatives,
including Silk, understands that consumers are
increasingly looking for both dairy and plant-based
options for a variety of reasons, including health,
taste and sustainability, said Chris Adamo, vice
president of public affairs and Ag policy, Danone
North America.
" At Danone North America, we provide a
variety of options across both our dairy and
Plant-Based Foods Association (PBFA)
attests that plant-based milks, such as Oatly,
do not cause confusion among consumers
when compared to dairy milk.
DAIRYPROCESSING.COM | NOV-DEC 2023 9
Our
regulators must
do a better
job to ensure
consumers
have accurate
nutritional
information
so they can
compare
nutritional
equivalence as
conveniently
and effortlessly
as possible. "
Matt Herrick, International
Dairy Foods Association
©Tada Images-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
