tag:theconversation.com,2011:/global/topics/oat-milk-99011/articlesOat milk – The Conversation2022-05-20T09:59:02Ztag:theconversation.com,2011:article/1833912022-05-20T09:59:02Z2022-05-20T09:59:02ZPlant-based milk products: what you need to know before making the switch<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/464463/original/file-20220520-15-t00qfr.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=8%2C8%2C5599%2C3724&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">Plant-based milk alternatives may not contain the same nutrients as cow's milk.</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/dairy-free-milk-drink-ingredients-breakfast-1762870238">matka_Wariatka/ Shutterstock</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>Over the last decade, the number of people drinking cow’s milk has dropped – with people <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/family-food-datasets">swapping dairy</a> for plant-based alternatives, such as oat and almond milk. With <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-potato-milk-measures-up-against-other-plant-based-milk-alternatives-176938">new types of plant-based milks</a> seemingly emerging every week, this trend is unlikely to stop any time soon.</p>
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<p>There are a number of reasons why people are making the switch from dairy to plant-based alternatives. For one, many people aren’t able to consume dairy. Not only are around <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2036.2007.03557.x">5% of UK adults lactose intolerant</a>, dairy is also the <a href="https://ift.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/1541-4337.12318">most common allergen</a> in early childhood.</p>
<p>Another major reason that people are switching to plant-based dairy alternatives is because of animal welfare and environmental concerns. Studies show that dairy milk produces more environmental emissions and requires more <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29853680/">land and water usage</a> than plant-based dairy alternatives.</p>
<p>But despite being marketed as alternatives to dairy, plant-based products may not be exactly the same as dairy. So if you’re thinking of making the switch, here are a few things to be aware of.</p>
<h2>Pay attention to nutrients</h2>
<p>Cow’s milk is a rich source of many important nutrients, such as protein, calcium, iodine and vitamin B12. But many plant-based dairy alternatives don’t naturally contain the same amount of these nutrients and micronutrients as dairy milk – if any at all.</p>
<p>On average, most plant-based alternatives contain almost no protein – while one glass of cow’s milk containing around eight grams of protein. Soya milk is the exception, containing a similar amount of protein per glass as dairy. </p>
<p>Protein is essential for healthy growth and development. While everyone needs protein, some groups may need more than others. For example, older adults need it to maintain muscle strength with ageing and children require it for growth.</p>
<p>On average, most UK adults get <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/national-diet-and-nutrition-survey">around 15% of their protein intake</a> from dairy products. But if plant-based dairy alternatives are used as like-for-like replacements, this number could be <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0963996921004853">less than 1.8%</a>. So if you do make the switch to plant-based dairy products, soya milk may be your best bet for getting protein. If you use other types of plant-based milk alternatives, it will be important to include other high-protein foods in your diet, such as tofu or eggs, to make sure you’re getting enough.</p>
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Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/vegetarian-and-vegan-diet-five-things-for-over-65s-to-consider-when-switching-to-a-plant-based-diet-144088">Vegetarian and vegan diet: five things for over-65s to consider when switching to a plant-based diet</a>
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<p>Most plant-based dairy alternatives also don’t naturally contain the same vitamins and minerals that dairy does. As such, many need to have these added during the manufacturing process, which is called “fortification”. It’s worth noting, however, that any plant-based dairy alternatives labelled “organic” will not contain any fortified vitamins and minerals as this would go against regulations.</p>
<p>Calcium is a very important micronutrient found in milk. It’s needed for good bone health, particularly in children and adolescents. But my <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0963996921004853">own research has shown</a> that only 57% of milk alternatives, 63% of yogurt alternatives and 28% of cheese alternatives are fortified with calcium. So to ensure you’re <a href="https://www.bda.uk.com/resource/calcium.html">getting enough in your diet</a>, check the label and look for products that have been fortified with calcium. Or, focus on eating foods that contain calcium – such as fortified breads and cereals or tinned sardines or salmon. </p>
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<img alt="An opened can of tinned sardines." src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/464464/original/file-20220520-14-27imdv.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/464464/original/file-20220520-14-27imdv.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=399&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/464464/original/file-20220520-14-27imdv.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=399&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/464464/original/file-20220520-14-27imdv.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=399&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/464464/original/file-20220520-14-27imdv.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=501&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/464464/original/file-20220520-14-27imdv.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=501&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/464464/original/file-20220520-14-27imdv.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=501&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
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<span class="caption">Other food sources, such as tinned sardines, can help you get enough calcium in your diet.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/tin-can-sprats-sardines-top-view-244227574">Photosiber/ Shutterstock</a></span>
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<p>Iodine is another <a href="https://www.bda.uk.com/resource/iodine.html">important nutrient</a>, especially for pregnant women and young children as it’s important for brain development. It also helps make thyroid hormones, which are important for both growth and metabolism. Despite milk and dairy products being the <a href="https://www.bda.uk.com/resource/iodine.html">main source of dietary iodine</a>, only a small handful of plant-based dairy products are fortified with iodine. Again, it’s important to read the product’s label to see if it’s been fortified with iodine or not. Otherwise, focus on eating foods that contain iodine, such as fish, shellfish or seaweed – or if this is not possible by taking a supplement.</p>
<p>Also look out for vitamin B12 in any plant-based dairy alternatives you may buy. This vitamin is essential for the brain, nerves and blood cells. While some plant-based dairy alternatives contain vitamin B12, most don’t, so you’ll need to focus on getting vitamin B12 from other food sources. Meat typically contains the highest levels of vitamin B12, but if you follow a vegetarian or vegan diet you may need to consume yeast extract, fortified breakfast cereals or supplements to make sure you’re getting enough. </p>
<h2>Other considerations</h2>
<p>Plant-based dairy alternatives aren’t cheap – costing almost <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0963996921004853?via%3Dihub">three times the price</a> of cow’s milk and other dairy products (such as yoghurt). For a family of two adults and one child, the cost of consuming dairy products is around £310.89 a year – while plant-based alternatives may cost closer to £856.70 a year. Purchasing own-brand products which are fortified may be a cheaper way to avoid dairy while sticking to a budget. </p>
<p>But of course, there are many reasons why a person may need to switch to plant-based dairy alternatives – whether that’s due to allergies or environmental concerns. If you’re worried about you or your child getting enough vitamins and minerals in your diet after <a href="https://www.bda.uk.com/resource/milk-allergy.html">making the switch</a> to plant-based alternatives, it’s worth consulting with a registered dietitian or doctor. Plant-based milks are generally not recommended for children under two years. After that, fortified soya milk is likely the best alternative as it will contain important vitamins and minerals, as well as high amounts of protein.</p>
<p>If you prefer other plant-based milk alternatives, look for one that’s fortified. Avoid rice drinks if you have children under the age of five as they may contain high levels of arsenic. But thanks to increasing interest in plant-based diets, there’s now a wealth of choice when it comes to plant-based dairy alternatives – just make sure you read the label before buying one.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/183391/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Miriam Clegg receives funding from the Medical Research Council, Biological Sciences Research Council, EIT Food, Horizon 2020, Apetito, and Tanita Healthy Weight Community Trust.</span></em></p>Look out for products fortified with important vitamins and minerals.Miriam Clegg, Associate Professor in Human Nutrition, University of ReadingLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/1769382022-02-22T14:39:58Z2022-02-22T14:39:58ZHow potato milk measures up against other plant-based milk alternatives<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/447788/original/file-20220222-15-1knbs3c.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=0%2C0%2C5089%2C3245&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">A one-litre carton contains the equivalent of one small potato.</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/vegan-potato-milk-glass-bottle-sweden-2120229008">Evgeniy Lee/ Shutterstock</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>It seems like almost every plant-based food is being turned into “milk” these days, the latest being potato milk. </p>
<p>It’s not surprising that potatoes have been chosen to be the latest plant-based milk. After all, potatoes have many <a href="https://theconversation.com/six-reasons-why-potatoes-are-good-for-you-160889">health benefits</a> because they’re full of important vitamins and nutrients. But how do they measure up to other popular plant-based milks?</p>
<p><strong>Protein content</strong></p>
<p>No matter the type of plant-based milk, they only contain a fraction of the ingredient they’re derived from. For example, only 10% of the volume of a carton of rice or oat milk comes from these grains. Soy drinks contain between 5%-8% of the actual soya bean, and almond milks contain as little as 2% of the actual nut. Since coconut uses the cream or milk from the fruit, it contains between 5%-13%, depending on how creamy the product is. And based on the current potato milk products out there, a one-litre carton only contains around 60g of an actual potato – a small potato.</p>
<p>The problem with this is that these milks now contain far fewer vitamins and nutrients than the raw ingredient would. This may make them less nutritious than they would be if you ate the ingredient whole. </p>
<p>Take protein, for example. Ingredients like almonds are naturally great sources of protein containing over 20g of protein per 100g of almonds.</p>
<p>But after processing, 100 millilitres of almond milk only contains around one gram of protein. This is actually the same amount of protein you’d find in the same amount of oat milk – even though oats contain far less protein (13.5g per 100g). </p>
<p>Soya milk is better as it contains more of the soya beans compared with almond milk. In fact, soya milk gives around 3-3.5g of protein per 100ml. This is about as much protein as you get in the same amount of cow’s milk. And like cow’s milk, soya milk contains essential amino acids which our body isn’t able to naturally produce. Amino acids are important as they ensure our body works properly – such as by helping our muscles keep moving. </p>
<p>Potatoes are already low in protein. This means that after processing, potato milk contains about as much protein as coconut and rice milk – less than 0.5g of protein per 100ml. But some potato milk brands do supplement with pea protein, which makes a 100ml serving have around 1.3g of protein. </p>
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<img alt="Five jugs of plant-based milks, including almond, rice, coconut, oat and soy." src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/447790/original/file-20220222-25-l7y8gx.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/447790/original/file-20220222-25-l7y8gx.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=363&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/447790/original/file-20220222-25-l7y8gx.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=363&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/447790/original/file-20220222-25-l7y8gx.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=363&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/447790/original/file-20220222-25-l7y8gx.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=456&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/447790/original/file-20220222-25-l7y8gx.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=456&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/447790/original/file-20220222-25-l7y8gx.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=456&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
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<span class="caption">If protein is what you’re after, soya milk is probably your best bet.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/various-vegan-plant-based-milk-alternatives-1757536496">beats1/ Shutterstock</a></span>
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<p>So if you’re choosing your plant-based milk for protein content, you might be best sticking with soya or almond milk over potato milk.</p>
<p><strong>Added sugars</strong></p>
<p>As with cow’s milk, plant-based milks can also contain added sugars. We are encouraged to limit our added sugar intake to <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/769482/Why_5__-_The_Science_Behind_SACN.pdf">no more</a> than five to six teaspoons a day. This is because eating too much sugar is linked to an increased risk of obesity as well as tooth decay. But given many products sell both sweetened and unsweetened versions, it’s easier for someone to buy a product that contains no sugar.</p>
<p>Sweetened potato milk contains about 1.8g of sugar per 100ml. This is a little less than other plant-based milks which contain around 2 to 3.5g of added sugar per 100ml. So in this category, potato milk comes out on top. Although some plant-based milk uses natural sugars from fruit, this is still considered added sugar and should be limited.</p>
<p><strong>Fat content</strong></p>
<p>Since potatoes are naturally low in fat, potato milk would have a texture more akin to water. This is why extra fat is added to it. A similar thing is done with rice and oat milk, where oil (such as sunflower oil) is added. This brings the fat content up so that it’s closer to semi-skimmed milk (about 1.5g per 100ml). For potato milk, rapeseed oil is added. Almond and soya both tend to contain fat already, so no additional oil is added.</p>
<p>This means that compared with other plant-based milks, potato milk is higher in monounsaturated fats, which are thought to be better for <a href="https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/nejm199711203372102">your heart</a>. They’re also lower in saturated fats than cow’s milk, which is thought to be less healthy for our hearts. </p>
<p>A “barista version” of milk alternatives needs to contain a combination of both protein and fat in order for the milk to foam, so have slightly more fat added to them.</p>
<p><strong>Added vitamins</strong></p>
<p>When it comes to vitamins and minerals, many plant-based milks have these added to them, as they simply don’t have as many as cow’s milk naturally does.</p>
<p>Vitamins like riboflavin, B12 and D alongside calcium are added to potato milks. The same is also true for other plant-based milks – although organic versions may not have added vitamins often due to organic food rules and trying to keep the label clean of additives. </p>
<p>As many of us struggle to get enough vitamin D – which is essential for healthy bones and immune system – and many vegans and vegetarians can have <a href="https://academic.oup.com/nutritionreviews/article/71/2/110/1940320?login=false">low B12 levels</a> (which is needed to keep our blood cells and nerves healthy) going for milk alternatives with these added vitamins and minerals can be a good idea. </p>
<p>Potato milk is yet another option for those wanting an alternative to cow’s milk or other plant-based milks, or those looking for a more <a href="https://theconversation.com/which-milk-is-best-for-the-environment-we-compared-dairy-nut-soy-hemp-and-grain-milks-147660">environmentally friendly</a> milk product. Nutritionally, it may not contain the protein of soya milk, but many products are fortified, so they still contain important vitamins and minerals. </p>
<p>But since it contains several refined ingredients, such as oils and protein isolates (proteins extracted from foods), it may technically count as an <a href="https://www.fao.org/3/ca5644en/ca5644en.pdf">ultra-processed food</a>. There are some concerns about ultra-processed foods, which have been linked to <a href="https://www.bmj.com/content/365/bmj.l2289">chronic disease</a> – so it is yet to be seen whether potato milk has similar risks.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/176938/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Duane Mellor is a member of the British Dietetic Association </span></em></p>Potato milk may not be the most nutritious plant-based alternative – but it still has some benefits.Duane Mellor, Lead for Evidence-Based Medicine and Nutrition, Aston Medical School, Aston UniversityLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/1535642021-01-25T11:30:43Z2021-01-25T11:30:43ZVegan ‘dairy’ products face EU ban from using milk cartons and yoghurt pots – and UK could be next<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/380230/original/file-20210122-19-14xvflf.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">The days of this look could be numbered. </span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/portland-oregon-usa-sep-6-2019-1500236915">Tada Images</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>Leading oat milk brand Oatly and the owner of Flora margarine <a href="https://stopam171.com/">are spearheading</a> a campaign to overturn new proposed EU rules that could have <a href="https://www.politico.eu/sponsored-content/what-is-amendment-171-and-how-could-it-affect-plant-based-foods/">dire consequences</a> for vegan food companies. </p>
<p>A <a href="https://www.loc.gov/law/foreign-news/article/european-union-milk-cannot-be-used-to-market-purely-plant-based-products/#:%7E:text=(June%2027%2C%202017)%20On,(e.g.%2C%20tofu%20butter).">ruling</a> by the European Court of Justice in 2017 <a href="https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32013R1308">has already banned</a> vegan food producers trading in the EU from using terms such as “oat milk” and “soya yoghurt” on packaging. But if new rules known as <a href="https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/A-8-2019-0198_EN.pdf">Amendment 171</a> are approved, producers will not be able to use terms or imagery on packaging which refer to or evoke dairy products. </p>
<p>If interpreted broadly, the amendment could prevent them from including claims or denominations such as “dairy”, “creamy”, “yoghurt-style dessert” or “does not contain milk”. They would also be unable to use packaging designs that call to mind dairy products, such as yoghurt pots or milk cartons. Even simply showing <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/may/31/avoiding-meat-and-dairy-is-single-biggest-way-to-reduce-your-impact-on-earth">climate impact</a> by comparing the carbon footprint of their products with dairy equivalents could become illegal.</p>
<p>So how did it come to this – and does the vegan industry have any chance of preventing these new rules from going ahead?</p>
<h2>A tale of two lobbies</h2>
<p>The dairy industry, which lobbied for Amendment 171, argues that the ban on the use of dairy-related terms is necessary to protect consumers and make sure they are not misled. The industry can point to similar existing EU laws around products, for example in relation to <a href="https://www.foodcomplianceinternational.com/intel-eu/2020/7/22/is-your-trademark-a-health-claim-prepare-for-the-end-of-the-exemption-now">health claims</a> or the region where an item <a href="https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/european-journal-of-risk-regulation/article/abs/geographical-indications-food-fraud-and-the-fight-against-italian-sounding-products/E97B0A9C23BD8285FA047D9F8959B20F">comes from</a>.</p>
<p>Vegan food companies are <a href="https://plantbasednews.org/lifestyle/food/oatly-slams-eu-over-dairy-ban/">concerned</a> that if these “protections” under the amendment are put in place, they will need to rebrand, rename and rethink marketing strategies – with serious additional costs. In other words, this is a face-off between a sector that is long-established but still growing and an up-and-coming rival. </p>
<p>The plant milk market alone accounted for US$12 billion (£9 billion) in global sales in 2019 and is <a href="https://www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/plant-milk-market">set to grow</a> by 11% per year between 2020 and 2026 to reach US$21 billion. But this is tiny compared to the dairy industry – which <a href="https://www.imarcgroup.com/global-dairy-market">is expected to grow</a> from US$718 billion in 2019 to slightly over US$1 trillion in 2024. </p>
<p>Amendment 171 achieved a majority vote in the European parliament in October. It now needs approval from the EU Council of Ministers, which will consider the proposal at the trilogue meetings with the parliament and European Commission on January 27-28. If it’s agreed by the council and the commission, it will become law. Oatly, Flora owner Upfield and the NGO ProVeg International have <a href="https://www.foodnavigator.com/Article/2021/01/14/How-Oatly-Upfield-and-ProVeg-plan-to-overthrow-Amendment-171">launched a petition</a> in an attempt to persuade the EU to drop the new restrictions. </p>
<h2>Lobbying for reality</h2>
<p>At stake are not simply words, of course. As the British philosopher JL Austin <a href="https://www.ling.upenn.edu/%7Ernoyer/courses/103/Austin.pdf">famously put it</a>, sometimes we are actually doing things with words – in this case, using them to try and maximise sales. Notable contested uses of terms such as <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/law/2017/dec/20/european-court-rules-champagne-sorbet-can-keep-name-ecj-aldi">Champagne</a>, <a href="https://www.idfa.org/news/european-court-upholds-protected-designation-for-parmesan-cheese">Parmigiano</a>, or <a href="https://voxeurop.eu/en/war-of-the-tokays/">Tocaj</a> have all demonstrated that language and the reality of competition coincide when it comes to food.</p>
<p>When it comes to Amendment 171, arguments for and against tend to look at the consequences. Most commonly, it is argued that since dairy farming can be seen as <a href="https://foodprint.org/reports/the-foodprint-of-dairy/">both bad</a> for the environment and animal welfare, presenting vegan products as alternatives will help offset these effects. The welfare issues around dairy farming <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10806-018-9740-9">are even arguably worse</a> than with meat, for instance. </p>
<figure class="align-center zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/380231/original/file-20210122-15-i9hdpb.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="Cows in cages in a dairy farm" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/380231/original/file-20210122-15-i9hdpb.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/380231/original/file-20210122-15-i9hdpb.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/380231/original/file-20210122-15-i9hdpb.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/380231/original/file-20210122-15-i9hdpb.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/380231/original/file-20210122-15-i9hdpb.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/380231/original/file-20210122-15-i9hdpb.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/380231/original/file-20210122-15-i9hdpb.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Constantly pregnant and having your teats squeezed by robots… it’s a cow’s life.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/diary-cows-modern-free-livestock-stall-1782458204">Vladimir Mulder</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>There is <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10408398.2012.761950?casa_token=YGI5eSd2rlAAAAAA%3A7hyuZejeu5t6cde2t_t14XHqX2JpGwbDTUIVeFSCFk77UErrEFD43uSXkvX1ygK2nudf0gV0QQ-MHA">more room for debate</a> around the health comparisons between dairy and vegan alternatives. The relative benefits of the vegan alternatives are affected by a variety of factors such as consumers’ age, gender, race and lifestyle. </p>
<p>As for the dairy lobby’s arguments about confusing consumers, they are in danger of looking out of date, given the tremendous changes in eating habits that have taken place in recent years. The proportion of vegans in the EU has significantly increased in the past four years according to <a href="https://veganz.com/blog/veganz-nutrition-study-2020/">this survey</a>. And although it may at best only be 3% of consumers, as is the case in Germany, as many as a third consider themselves “flexitarians” rather than meat eaters, and a sizeable proportion plan to go vegetarian or vegan in future. </p>
<p>This touches on one of other argument from the dairy lobby, which is around etymology: they say that “milk” and “dairy” have been essentially linked to the rich liquid fluid produced from glands of mammals – unlike “meat”, which doesn’t need to have anything to do with animals. This, they argue, is why it did not create a precedent in October when the European parliament <a href="https://www.euractiv.com/section/agriculture-food/news/meps-save-veggie-burger-from-denomination-ban/">voted against a proposal</a> that would have banned terms such as “veggie burger” and “vegan steak”. Needless to say, vegan dairy producers take the opposite view. </p>
<figure class="align-center zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/380233/original/file-20210122-13-1r4qgql.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="Veggie burger on a table" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/380233/original/file-20210122-13-1r4qgql.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/380233/original/file-20210122-13-1r4qgql.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/380233/original/file-20210122-13-1r4qgql.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/380233/original/file-20210122-13-1r4qgql.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/380233/original/file-20210122-13-1r4qgql.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/380233/original/file-20210122-13-1r4qgql.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/380233/original/file-20210122-13-1r4qgql.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Veggie burgers are allowed under EU law.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/close-veggie-burger-on-piece-paper-1206428425">Anna.q</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>It’s difficult to foresee how EU institutions will now proceed. Will they value the “pro-health” points made by the vegan sector? Or will they be persuaded by the “consumer confusion” argument pushed by the dairy industry? Amendment 171 was passed in the European parliament with a narrow majority (54%), which <a href="https://www.veganfoodandliving.com/news/oatly-plant-based-censorship-petition-vegan-dairy-alternatives/">feeds hopes</a> within the vegan industry that enough doubt has been cast on the issue for the new rule to be blocked.</p>
<h2>The UK dimension</h2>
<p>The debate is also relevant in the UK, where <a href="https://www.marketplace.org/2020/03/02/vegan-milk-delivery-united-kingdom-dairy-industry/">3.5 million people</a> – around 5% of the population – now see themselves as vegan and choose not to consume or use animal byproducts. Like many other countries, UK law <a href="https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2014/1855/contents/made">provides</a> that food information should be accurate, clear and easy to understand for consumers, making sure that they can rely on correct information and make informed choices based on their diet, allergies and taste. Also, commercial practices which mislead consumers can be punished under <a href="https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2008/1277/contents/made">criminal law</a> and <a href="https://www.gov.uk/marketing-advertising-law/advertising-codes-of-practice">advertising rules</a>. </p>
<p>But there are no rules as strict as Amendment 171. Should such a regime be finally adopted by the EU, we would have a scenario where marketing rules for plant-based food are tighter in the EU than in Britain. Yet Amendment 171 would still apply to UK producers who want to export to the EU. And, as the EU is the main market for export, British producers of vegan dairy food may eventually decide to voluntarily follow the new EU rules in their domestic market, to exploit economies of scale.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/153564/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>Oatly and Flora are fronting a petition to stop the EU getting even tougher on their packaging.Enrico Bonadio, Reader in Intellectual Property Law, City, University of LondonAndrea Borghini, Associate Professor of Philosophy, University of MilanLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.