Plant-based milk alternatives

Abstract

The current production and high consumption of milk worldwide contribute significantly to climate change and biodiversity loss. As a result, the resources of our planet will not be sufficient to feed the growing population with animal products such as milk in the future. At the same time, for some years now, there has been a high interest worldwide in a predominantly plant-based diet, which is also reflected in a high demand for plant-based milk alternatives. They represent a potential alternative to animal milk in so far as their production process is more sustainable in comparison to that one of cow’s milk. Even though plant-based milk alternatives are by nature not the exact nutritional equivalent of cow’s milk due to a wide range of macro- and micronutrients, they are the most sold vegan alternative products in Europe and Germany. Also at a global level, the market for plant-based milk alternatives is currently growing rapidly. The reasons for the consumption of plant-based milk alternatives are essentially based on three aspects: health, sustainability and animal welfare. At the same time, the purchase decision is especially influenced by the taste and price of the plant-based milk alternatives. Correspondingly, the offer and assortment of plant-based milk alternatives constantly develop. Furthermore, intensive work is currently being done on the development of new milk alternatives through precision fermentation.