Dairy Milk Consumption is at a Historic Low

What's the story?

• A Food & Drug Administration (FDA) proposal will allow products made out of dairy alternatives to continue using the word "milk" to describe their products, despite backlash from the dairy industry.
• The proposal seeks to resolve a long-running dispute between powerful dairy lobbyists and newer plant-based purveyors. The dairy industry has stated that using the word "milk" to describe soy, coconut, oats, almonds, and macadamia products could confuse consumers. 
• Madeline Cohen, with the Good Food Institute, said: 

"We know that consumers are going out and purposely buying these products. No one is purchasing them by accident.”

• Some say the FDA's decision could further erode the popularity of regular milk, which has been seeing declining sales over the past few decades. Dairy milk consumption hit a historic low in 2021 at 16 gallons per person per year, whereas consumption sat at 29 gallons per person in 1975, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
• Consumers have cited various reasons for their choices, such as health consciousness, lactose intolerance, and a growing interest in vegan and vegetarian lifestyles.

Concessions to the dairy industry

• The FDA did make a concession to appease the dairy industry, recommending that plant-based milk alternatives feature clear details of nutritional differences between their products and dairy milk.
• The FDA recommends that alternative milk manufacturers inform consumers about their products' lower Vitamin D and Calcium quantities.
• Dr. Robert M. Califf, the FDA commissioner, said:

“Today’s draft guidance was developed to help address the significant increase in plant-based milk alternative products that we have seen become available in the marketplace over the past decade. The draft recommendations issued today should lead to providing consumers with clear labeling to give them the information they need to make informed nutrition and purchasing decisions on the products they buy for themselves and their families.”

Would you consider using milk alternatives?

—Emma Kansiz