From Shelf to Fridge: Your Guide to Plant-Based Milk Safety

Introduction

Your perfect cuppa may have gone plant-based. While these dairy alternatives offer exciting options for consumers, they're not immune to food safety risks. Recent studies have shown that plant-based milk alternatives can support bacterial growth as readily as dairy milk if not handled correctly. Here is your essential guide to keeping plant-based dairy products safe.

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Risks associated with plant-based milk

Plant-based and dairy milk can support harmful bacteria growth despite their nutritional differences. Pathogens like Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella, and Escherichia coli thrive in both types of beverages as they provide adequate water, nutrients, and suitable pH levels. Raw ingredients in plant-based milks – particularly nuts – may introduce contaminants, such as mycotoxins, pesticide residues, and heavy metals during production. Their sugar content and improper storage temperatures can encourage bacterial growth, emphasising the need for proper food safety measures across all milk products.

How do we ensure that plant-based milk is safe for consumption?

The safety of your plant-based milk depends heavily on how you handle and store them after purchase, despite proper heat treatment by manufacturers to make the products safe.

As consumers, you can follow these tips to consume your plant-based milk safely:

• Follow the storage instruction and consume them by the date-marked stated on the packaging.
• Discard the product when they have expired or left unrefrigerated when they should be chilled.
• Discard the product if it the packaging is swollen or damaged.
• Discard the product if it has a sour taste, unusual odour, or changes in texture or consistency, even if it is still within the expiry date.
• Purchase the products from established and reliable sellers that source them from reputable suppliers.
• Seek medical attention immediately if you encounter symptoms such as diarrhoea and vomiting after consuming.