Work

Nutrition-claim eligibility of plant-based milk alternatives under South Africa's draft food-labelling regulations: protein content, amino acid profiles and calcium

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: This study evaluated the protein quality and health and nutrition claim eligibility of plant-based milk alternatives (PBMAs) in South African retail markets against proposed R3337 food-labelling regulations (South Africa's draft front-of-pack warning-label and claims framework) (R337, 2023). Amino acid profiles and draft R3337 amino acid scores (Annexure 4) were determined on 20 PBMA products (soy, almond, oat, rice, coconut) and compared to cow milk (n=13), with draft R3337 claim eligibility assessed product by product for all 20 PBMAs. Soy most closely approximated cow milk in protein content and amino acid profile, while the remaining categories showed substantial deficits. With these data not even cow milk (scores 32–65%) met the draft R3337 amino acid criterion that every indispensable amino acid reaches 100% of the Annexure 4 reference pattern, although the regulation’s own worked example for skim milk passes, pointing to incomplete amino acid recovery with single-timepoint acid hydrolysis. No PBMA met the draft R3337 liquid threshold for a ‘source of protein’ claim (≥5 g/100 ml), so none was eligible irrespective of protein quality. Nineteen of the 20 PBMAs (95%), including all six sweetened products (analysed total sugar 2.3–4.2 g/100 ml), would not require a front-of-pack warning label, while 16 of the 20 (80%) met the ‘source of calcium’ condition when assessed per product — all soy and almond products, three of four oat products and one rice product, four of them exactly at the 15% NRV threshold. Of the 11 on-pack ‘source of calcium’ claims, two would not meet the proposed R3337 conditions: one oat product contained only 10 mg calcium/100 ml, and one fortified coconut product failed the Annexure 8 nutrient-profiling screen. These findings highlight a regulatory gap underscoring the need for minimum compositional requirements, standardised analytical protocols, and stricter claim enforcement within draft R3337.

Source: Food and Humanity

DOI: 10.1016/j.foohum.2026.101610

Authors: Elaine Pieterse, Beulah Pretorius, Hester Carina Schönfeldt

Institution: University of Pretoria

Language: English

Topic: Consumer Attitudes and Food Labeling

Subfield: Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Zero hunger, Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $2,990