Jan 25, 2021
Companies selling soy and almond milk have begun changing the phrase ‘milk’ with ‘beverage’ or ‘drink’ to conform with the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India’s proposed regulation which stated that the time period ‘milk’ can solely be used if the product is derived from cows and buffaloes.
Life Health Foods, which sells 4-5 million liters of almond and soymilk beneath the ‘So Good’ model stated it has begun rolling out the brand new packaging after changing the time period milk with beverage.
Plant-based beverage term is going to be an added advantage as India is a vegetarian country and companies selling soy and almond milk replace ‘milk’ with ‘beverage’ has a positive connotation in terms of ecology and value system.
Borges India, which sells almond, coconut, hazelnut, walnut, and rice-based drinks beneath the Borges Natura model is utilizing the time period drink somewhat than milk.
FSSAI has prevented from utilizing the phrase milk for any plant-based products as it doesn’t come from animals.
India’s $20 million plant-based beverage market is gaining a reputation as a substitute for milk amongst those that are lactose illiberal, vegans, and vegetarians. The market – which is dominated by giant multinational gamers resembling American chocolate maker Hershey’s, New Zealand’s Life Health Food,
Spain’s Borges and Indian Raw Pressery, Drums Food International, NatureVit, and Urban Platter – is raising 25-30% yearly. It is anticipated to herald international funding of greater than $200 million (Rs 1,500 crore), in accordance with the trade estimates.
The market is in a nascent stage but growing very fast, with demand coming from the vegan community that does not consume milk and lactose-intolerant consumers.
Companies which haven’t already eliminated the phrase milk is within the technique of doing so. Anyway, today’s consumer is educated and has taken a conscious call to turn to dairy alternatives. We will look at the regulation that comes and respond accordingly and don’t intend to go against rules.”