Finnish Food Authority study: Oat drink is a safe option as part of a healthy diet
Finnish researchers rank oat drink as the most recommendable plant-based milk alternative.
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According to the newly published final report of the Finnish Food Authority’s VEGETURVA project (food safety of Plant-Based Products), plant- based drinks are a safe option as part of a healthy diet. In its assessment, the Finnish Food Authority examined the impacts of replacing milk from the perspectives of nutrition, chemical food safety risks and microbiological safety. In the overall assessment, oat drink emerges as the most recommendable option among the plant-based drinks studied. According to the Finnish Food Authority, oat drink is also suitable as part of the daily diet of young children.
According to the Finnish Food Authority’s VEGETURVA project, there are differences between plant-based drinks. Based on the overall assessment, oat drink was considered the most recommendable option among the plant-based drinks studied. The study examined oat, soy, almond and rice drinks. The nutritional assessment found that replacing milk with plant-based drinks can increase dietary fibre intake and reduce the intake of saturated fat.
“It is valuable to have a comprehensive assessment of plant-based drinks from both nutritional and food safety perspectives. The study found that oat drink fits well into a healthy diet and emerged as the most recommendable option among the plant-based drinks studied,” says Reetta Andolin, Chief Innovation Officer at Raisio Group.
The study also identified some factors related to chemical contaminants and microbiological safety. However, according to the report, exposure levels remain well below levels considered safe, and the consumption of plant-based drinks at typical consumption levels does not pose health risks.
Oat drinks are also suitable for young children
Based on the VEGETURVA project report, the Finnish Food Authority has issued guidelines for the safe use of plant-based drinks. According to the guidelines, oat and soy drinks are also suitable as part of the daily diet of young children.
The Finnish Food Authority’s guidelines set a maximum combined daily intake of six decilitres of oat drink and oat-based snack products for young children. This is even slightly higher than the amount of dairy products and plant-based drinks recommended for young children in the current dietary recommendations.
Key findings
Plant-based drinks are a safe option as part of a healthy diet. According to the Finnish Food Authority’s guidelines, oat and soy drinks are also suitable as part of the daily diet of young children. Replacing milk with plant-based drinks can increase dietary fibre intake and reduce saturated fat intake. Oat drink was considered the most recommendable overall option among the plant-based drinks studied.
Different risk profiles do not mean products are unsafe
In its communications on the VEGETURVA project, the Finnish Food Authority has highlighted that plant-based products have a different risk profile from milk and meat. However, a different risk profile does not mean that a product is unsafe.
Every food product has its own risk profile. This means that identifying, monitoring and managing risks associated with raw materials and products is part of our everyday work in the food industry. Different risk profiles require different risk management measures to ensure product safety. We know the raw materials we use and our production processes, and we manage the associated risks as part of ensuring quality and food safety.
We use Finnish oats as the raw material for Raisio’s plant-based drinks, and we manage the production chain from the reception of raw materials through to the finished product.
Raisio participated in the VEGETURVA project as an industry partner. The study was conducted by the Finnish Food Authority with Makera funding from the Finnish Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.
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Topic world Food safety
Food safety is at the heart of the food and beverage industry. It ensures that the food we eat every day is not only nutritious, but also free of harmful contaminants. From field to plate, the industry monitors and regulates every step of the process with strict quality controls, advanced testing methods and continuous research.
Topic world Food safety
Food safety is at the heart of the food and beverage industry. It ensures that the food we eat every day is not only nutritious, but also free of harmful contaminants. From field to plate, the industry monitors and regulates every step of the process with strict quality controls, advanced testing methods and continuous research.