Most plant-based milks in Austria fail nutritional tests—except these two

A new study has revealed that many plant-based milk alternatives in Austria fall short of nutritional guidelines. Researchers from SIPCAN analysed sugar and fat levels across different products. The findings show clear differences between drinkable and spoonable options, as well as between plant sources.

The assessment covered various milk alternatives, including oat, almond, and coconut-based products. Oat and almond versions performed best, with 85% of each meeting SIPCAN's standards for sugar and fat. Oat milks averaged 4.3 grams of sugar and 1.9 grams of fat per 100 millilitres, while almond milks contained 2.1 grams of both sugar and fat.

Coconut-based products fared the worst, with only 12% passing the criteria. These contained an average of 7.1 grams of sugar and 6.5 grams of fat per 100 millilitres. The study also found that drinkable alternatives did better overall, with 90% meeting standards, compared to just 25% of thicker, spoonable products.

No data was available on market trends, such as sales growth or product variety in Austria or other European countries over the past two years.

The results highlight a significant gap in nutritional quality among plant-based milk alternatives. While oat and almond options mostly meet guidelines, coconut-based products often exceed recommended sugar and fat levels. Consumers may now have clearer information when choosing between different types of milk substitutes.