Comprehensive Analysis of Nutritional, Organoleptic, and Functional Aspects of Cow's Milk and Plant-Based Milk Alternatives in the Colombian Market

Background: Plant-based beverages, also known as plant-based milk alternatives, are often considered nutritional replacements for conventional cow's milk, as they can serve similar organoleptic and gastronomic purposes. They are increasingly preferred by consumers who have transitioned from conventional milk for various reasons, including lactose intolerance, health concerns, and ethical considerations related to animal welfare and environmental sustainability. However, the nutritional differences between plant-based beverages and cow's milk have been well-documented in the literature, highlighting variations in essential nutrients such as protein, sugars, saturated fats, sodium, and calcium. Objectives: to analyze the nutritional profile of plant-based milk alternatives available in the Colombian market and cow´s milk, to identify whether they can be considered nutritional alternatives. Methods: through the recollection of the data reported in the Nutritional Facts table presented in the labels of the selected products in the supermarkets of the city of Medellín, Colombia, in addition to the launches reported on Mintel Market Research © to cover the national territory, and the nutritional profile of whole and skimmed cow´s milk, a comparative analysis is performed using the Health Star Rating methodology from Australia and New Zeeland. Results: 96 plant-based milk alternatives were evaluated and categorized by vegetable source. The skimmed milk was ranked best because of its low-fat content, followed by the whole milk. The soy and cashew beverages evaluated were the best ranked of all the available plant-based options. Almond and oat beverages, and those whose source is a combination of two or more vegetable sources, obtained third place, followed by the rice beverages in fourth place, and coconut beverages in last. Conclusions: none of the commercially available plant-based alternative milks in Colombia are an adequate nutritional substitute for cow´s milk, mainly due to their protein, added sugars, and calcium contents.