Hong Kong, May 2025 – A comprehensive investigation by the Consumer Council into 39 pre-packaged plant-based milk products has revealed significant discrepancies between advertised nutritional content and actual laboratory findings, raising serious questions about the reliability of these increasingly popular dairy alternatives for consumers seeking healthier or more sustainable options.
The Consumer Council’s latest issue of Choice magazine (Issue 564) tested samples collected from supermarkets and department stores across Hong Kong, including 12 soy milks, 10 oat milks, 7 almond milks, 5 coconut milks, and 5 rice milks. While plant-based milk has surged in popularity—driven primarily by lactose-intolerant consumers and those concerned about the environmental impact of animal agriculture—the findings suggest that many products fail to deliver on their nutritional promises.
Nutrient Labeling Inaccuracies Dominate
The most alarming finding was that more than 60 percent (26 samples) failed to comply with the Technical Guidance on nutritional labeling. Their declared nutrient values differed substantially from what the laboratory detected. While some discrepancies may stem from natural separation and sedimentation during storage—whereby tightly adhering sediment could skew test results even after thorough mixing—the council warned that consumers might be consuming significantly fewer nutrients than they expect.
“Consumers may choose these products based on what the label promises, but our tests indicate those promises aren’t always kept,” a council spokesperson stated.
Two Vitamin D Claims Fall Flat
Among the most troubling discoveries: two samples that explicitly listed added vitamin D on their ingredient labels—specifically, “UFC” and “Dream” coconut milk products—tested negative for the nutrient entirely. This means shoppers specifically selecting these products for their vitamin D content could be receiving none at all. Meanwhile, five samples met the definition of high vitamin D when calculated per 100 kilocalories, including “Woolworths,” “Topvalu,” “Alpro,” “Havredals,” and “Mighty.”
Calcium Content: A Glass Half Empty?
Although 16 samples qualified as high-calcium products when measured per 100 kilocalories, the council warned that actual calcium content per 100 milliliters told a different story. Four products—”Glico,” “Blue Diamond,” “UFC,” and “Mighty”—contained less than half the calcium of low-fat milk (approximately 62.5 milligrams per 100 milliliters), with levels ranging from just 23.92 to 51.17 milligrams. Consumers would need to drink roughly 3.6 cups of these plant-based alternatives to match the calcium found in a single 240-milliliter glass of low-fat milk.
Soy Milk Stands Out for Protein
On a positive note, six soy milk brands—including “Kikkoman,” “Maeil,” “Vitasoy,” “Tong Young,” “Tofuism,” and “First Product”—qualified as high-protein foods per 100 kilocalories. Six soy milk samples also contained more protein per 100 milliliters than low-fat milk (approximately 3.37 grams), with “Kikkoman,” “Sunrise,” “Pak Fook,” “Vita,” “Maeil,” and “Vitasoy” leading the pack at 3.40 to 4.92 grams.
Heavy Metal and Pesticide Contamination Detected
Nickel contamination was found in 10 samples, including two oat milks—”Oatside” and “Amandin”—and eight soy milks. The highest nickel concentration was in “Vitasoy” soy milk, at 1.08 milligrams per kilogram. For a 60-kilogram adult, consuming just three cups (approximately 720 grams) of this product would reach the established tolerable daily intake of 0.78 milligrams of nickel.
Additionally, one soy milk sample—”Kikkoman”—tested positive for the herbicide glyphosate at 0.025 milligrams per kilogram. However, the council noted this level was well below the legal limit for dried soybeans and posed no health risk under normal consumption.
Price Does Not Equal Quality
Encouragingly, the council found no direct correlation between price and product quality. Of the 19 items receiving overall ratings of four stars or higher, both budget-friendly and premium options were represented. The top-rated products included:
- Woolworths Unsweetened Almond Milk
- Califia Farms Almond Milk (Barista Blend)
- Topvalu Almond Milk (Sugar-Free)
- Havredals Oat Milk (Barista Edition)
- Kikkoman Soymilk (Unsweetened)
- Sunrise Original Soy Beverage
What This Means for Consumers
For Hong Kong’s growing community of plant-based milk drinkers—whether due to lactose intolerance, environmental concerns, or dietary preference—this report serves as a critical reminder to read labels carefully and not assume all products are nutritionally equivalent to dairy milk.
Practical takeaways: Consumers should cross-check multiple sources of calcium and vitamin D in their diets, particularly if replacing dairy entirely. Those seeking protein should prioritize soy-based options, while individuals concerned about heavy metals may wish to rotate between different brands and plant sources. The council also recommends shaking products thoroughly before consumption to minimize sedimentation issues.
As the plant-based market continues to expand, this investigation underscores the urgent need for tighter regulatory oversight and industry accountability—ensuring that what’s printed on the carton matches what’s inside the glass.