Report: Dairy Industry Fights Soaring Plant-Based Milk Sales

A new report from research firm Packaged Facts says that consumers are increasingly ditching dairy.

“Per capita consumption of fluid milk beverages decreased by close to 22% from 2000 to 2016. Through the same period, consumption of non-dairy…milk alternatives has increased by triple digits,” writes Packaged Facts.

The firm reports that shoppers are choosing plant-based milks because of “health concerns” — and cites “the growing consumer base that is motivated by animal welfare concerns, leading them to choose plant-based beverages, as well as other plant-based foods over animal-based products.”

Hazelnut, rice, soya and almond milk — all substitutes for dairy milk.

As Animal Outlook has also stated, Packaged Facts attributes the dairy industry’s efforts to stop plant-based milks from being labeled “milk” to an attempt to squash the rising popularity of these dairy-free drinks. 

“The milk industry has reacted by challenging the very notion that the plant-based beverages can even be called milks. The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) has taken the lead on encouraging the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) to enforce its own food standard for milk which would exclude plant-based products from being referred to as milk. Federal courts have ruled against the efforts to stop plant-based dairy alternatives from being called milk since any reasonable consumer understands that there is no dairy element in plant-based milks and is, indeed, purchasing them for that reason.”

We couldn’t agree more. Consumers are saying loud and clear that they want dairy-free. But if Big Dairy’s really worried about consumer confusion, why not label its own products “cow milk,” “cow cheese,” and so on? Sign  and share our Change.org petition.

And if you prefer to leave cow’s milk for cows, you’ll find it’s easier than ever to try dairy free. We have plenty of recipes, product recommendations and more at TryVeg.com.