On February 22, 2023, the US FDA issued draft guidance to ensure appropriate labelling of plant-based milk alternatives (PBMA). It includes recommendations that will result in clear labelling, allowing consumers to make more informed purchasing decisions.

The FDA will not prohibit the use of the identifier “milk” in plant-based milk alternatives, but the product should be labelled with “voluntary nutrient statements. It will help consumers understand the nutritional differences between the products and in making informed dietary choices.

According to the FDA, many consumers are unaware of the nutritional differences between milk and plant-based alternatives. Many plant-based milks lack key nutrients found in dairy products. Only fortified soy beverages are currently included in the Dietary Guidelines. Getting enough nutrients is especially important for growth and development. Because food labels are an important way to support consumer behavior, voluntary nutritional statements will assist customers in making informed decisions.

In 2018, the FDA issued a notice seeking public feedback on how consumers use PBMA products and how they understand the term “milk” when it appears in the names of products made from soy, peas, and nuts. 

Following a review of these comments and consumer studies, the FDA concluded that consumers generally understand that PBMA do not contain milk and prefer PBMA because they are not milk. Many consumers, however, may be unaware of the nutritional differences between milk and PBMA products. Almond or oat-based PBMA products, for example, may contain some calcium and be consumed as a source of calcium, but their overall nutritional content is not comparable to milk.