One in three plant-based milks fails Austrian health standards, study reveals
A new study has examined the nutritional quality of plant-based milk alternatives in Austria. Researchers analysed 444 products and found that one in three failed to meet health guidelines. The findings highlight significant differences between drinkable and spoonable options, as well as variations among ingredients like coconut, oat and almond.
The study, conducted by SIPCAN, reviewed products from Austrian supermarkets but did not name specific brands or manufacturers. It revealed that drinkable alternatives, such as oat or almond milk, had a 90% compliance rate with nutritional standards. Spoonable products, however, only met the criteria 25% of the time.
Oat- and almond-based options performed best, with 85% meeting SIPCAN's guidelines. These alternatives also contained less sugar and fat compared to others. In contrast, coconut-based products fared poorly, with just 12% passing the assessment. On average, coconut milk alternatives contained 7.1 grams of sugar and 6.5 grams of fat per 100 grams or millilitres. These higher levels contributed to their lower compliance rate.
The research shows clear differences in nutritional quality across plant-based milk alternatives. Drinkable versions and those made from oats or almonds generally met health standards more often. Meanwhile, coconut-based products stood out for their higher sugar and fat content, leading to lower compliance with SIPCAN's criteria.
