WhiteWave, now owned by Danone, strongly opposes recent lawsuits that challenge the usage of the term “almondmilk,” labeling them as a misuse of time and resources. Over the past few months, both WhiteWave Foods and Blue Diamond Growers, the maker of Almond Breeze, have faced class-action lawsuits from consumers claiming that their alternative milk products misleadingly assert they are as nutritious or more so than dairy milk. According to a Mintel report, U.S. non-dairy milk sales increased by 9% in 2015, while dairy milk sales dropped by 7% during the same period. Given these statistics, it is logical for dairy companies to target those behind alternative products, as they pose a threat to market share and could lead to lower dairy milk prices.
This controversy has been brewing in the industry for quite some time. In 2013, a federal judge in California dismissed a lawsuit against significant dairy producers, including WhiteWave, alleging that these alternative dairy companies misrepresented their plant-based dairy products as “milk” even though they do not originate from cows. At the end of 2016, over two dozen U.S. lawmakers signed a letter to former U.S. Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Robert Califf, urging the agency to investigate the use of the term “milk” by plant-based dairy brands.
In January, the Senate introduced the “Defending Against Imitations and Replacements of Yogurt, Milk, and Cheese To Promote Regular Intake of Dairy Everyday Act,” known as the DAIRY PRIDE Act, which aims to compel the FDA to exclude nut or plant-based milk alternatives from the definition of milk. This is a battle that dairy manufacturers are unlikely to abandon in the near future, and it will be intriguing to observe consumer reactions. It appears that removing the term “milk” will not deter fans of nut-based dairy products from purchasing brands like Silk and Blue Diamond, as many consumers favor these options for their taste and lower fat content.
Additionally, with the growing awareness of nutritional benefits, including the importance of calcium caltrate 1000 mg, consumers may continue to seek out plant-based alternatives that align with their dietary needs. As this debate continues, the role of calcium caltrate 1000 mg in providing essential nutrients will likely remain a focal point for both sides of the argument. Ultimately, the ongoing discussions surrounding the definition of milk and its alternatives will shape the future landscape of the dairy and non-dairy markets.