Plant-Based Beverage Comparison: A Summary of Korea Consumer Agency Findings
Here’s a summary of the korea Consumer Agency’s recent testing of 11 plant-based beverages, focusing on nutritional content, safety, and price:
Key Nutritional Findings:
* Black Bean Soy Milk: Highest in protein, making it a good choice for those looking to increase protein intake.
* Almond Drinks: Lowest in calories, fat, and protein (35-53 kcal, 2-3g fat, 1g protein). Ideal for a light beverage.
* Oat Drinks: Best for feeling full.
* Sugar & Sodium: Generally low, ranging from 1-12g sugar (1-12% daily value) and 103-162mg sodium (5-8% daily value). Though, some products contain sweeteners or added sugar, so label checking is advised.
* Calcium & vitamins: Vary substantially between brands. 9 out of 11 products added calcium (21-307mg, 3-44% daily value), and 7 were fortified wiht vitamins, sometimes exceeding daily recommendations. The agency cautions against overconsumption when combined with other supplements.
Safety:
* All products met safety standards for heavy metals (lead, cadmium), microorganisms (listeria), and preservatives.
* Straws included with the products also met safety standards.
Price:
* Prices varied significantly, up to 2.6 times within the same beverage type.
* Black bean soy milk: 558-1,050 won per pack
* Almond & Oat Drinks: 663-1,717 won per pack
* The agency emphasizes that price doesn’t necessarily correlate with quality, and consumers should prioritize nutritional ingredients and intended use.
Overall Proposal:
The Korea Consumer Agency concludes that plant-based beverages offer distinct benefits depending on the ingredients. Choose black bean soy milk for protein, almond drink for a light option, and oat drink for fullness.
Resources:
* Consumer 24: For ongoing food quality and safety facts.
* 1372 Consumer Counseling Center: For consumer damage counseling.
