Plant-based milk alternatives in the USDA Branded Food Products Database would benefit from nutrient density standards.

Abstract

Many plant-based beverages (PBBs) in the US Department of Agriculture Branded Food Products Database serve as milk alternatives or replacements. Their collective nutrient content and fortification patterns need to be evaluated more fully. Listed ingredients for 641 PBBs were machine-searched for added vitamins, minerals, sugar and salt. The Nutrient Rich Food index NRF5.3 measured nutrient density. Except for soy milks, there was little consistency in nutrient density and micronutrient content across and within PBB product types. Industry-wide voluntary nutrient standards are one mechanism to bring more consistency to the expanding PBB category.