An Almond Doesn’t Lactate

Last month, pointing out that “almonds don’t lactate,” FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb announced that the FDA will soon issue a new guidance on the use of the term “milk.” Currently milk is defined as “the lacteal secretion, practically free from colostrum, obtained by the complete milking of one or more healthy cows” or goats.121 CFR 131.11o defines milk as only coming from cows. That definition is reiterated in 21 CFR 58.101(k)(1) and the next paragraph, 21 CFR 58.101(k)(2) adds essentionally the same definition for the lacteal secretion from goats.

Let’s put that all together. Since “milk” (according to the FDA) is from lactating cows or goats, and almonds don’t lactate, what is normally called “almond milk” is actually an “almond beverage.” Apparently the FDA is going to crack down on making sure that all those fake “milk” products are properly identified (for anyone who actually thought that almonds lactated).

It’s likely this is the result of a push from the dairy industry. In fact, legislation was introduced in 2017 to specifically limit the use of the term “milk” to just cow milk (or maybe mammal milk). It didn’t get much traction, but the dairy industry will no doubt lobby for some legislation to get pushed through at some point.

So what does that have to do with soap and cosmetic labeling?

It has to do with what you say on the label and how ingredients are identified in the ingredient declaration.

On the Label

If you refer to “almond milk” or “coconut milk” on the label, you might want to consider changing that out and removing the “milk” reference.  It’s not much of an issue now, but it could become one if the FDA does start cracking down on the use of the term “milk.”

In the Ingredient Declaration

According to the regulations, the name used to identify ingredients should be the name used in the International Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary (except that botanical names should use the English version of the plant name, not the Latin name) 2This is true in the United States only. Other countries would use the Latin name only..

The correct names are based on what the product is–a fruit or seed water.  So you have:

Sweet almond fruit water

Coconut Fruit Juice or Coconut Water

Soybean Seed Water

If you want to include the Latin name, it would go in parentheses after the common English name, for example:

Sweet almond (prunus amygdalus dulcis) fruit water

Bottom Line

It’s unlikely that the FDA (or your local state) would come after you for incorrectly identifying your ingredient as “almond milk” in your ingredient declaration. That might change if the FDA decides the use of the term “milk” is of higher priority (or if legislation is passed which required more rigid enforcement).

So if you use a nut “milk” in your cosmetic product or soap, next time you print your labels, update your packaging to correctly describe your products and list your ingredients.

References

References
1 21 CFR 131.11o defines milk as only coming from cows. That definition is reiterated in 21 CFR 58.101(k)(1) and the next paragraph, 21 CFR 58.101(k)(2) adds essentionally the same definition for the lacteal secretion from goats.
2 This is true in the United States only. Other countries would use the Latin name only.

Comments

9 responses to “An Almond Doesn’t Lactate”

  1. Thank you for this EXTREMELY helpful info! I made soaps using Stephenson Triple Butter Soap Base and planned to indicate the ingredients of that soap base. I saw your information about most Melt and Pour Soaps not being “true soaps” so I was going to play it safe with the label. Is that required to list all of the ingredients in my ingredients or can I list: Stephenson Triple Butter Soap Base, Fragrance…” for example? I was going to sell these at a small holiday craft fair (not as one of the main items) but now I am wondering if it is too risky…

    1. You do need to list all of the individual ingredients in the product, not the commercial name of the base that you use. You should be able to get the ingredient list from your supplier. Add to the list anything that you have added to the product (fragrance, color additives, etc.).

  2. Flora Schaub

    Hmmm. Magnesium doesn’t lactate, either… but I suppose FDA’s okay with “Milk of Magnesia,” LOL

  3. Hilda Bahner

    Very useful information, thank you,

  4. Veronica Cruz

    Coming from a Latin culture I had never heard the term “milk” for oats,rice,almonds or soy. It was always fresh rice water ,Horchata or Agia de arroz, same goes for the rest, but interesting to know we called it milk, I guess due to its whitish color. Curious if other cultures call it water or milk.

  5. Marie, if we make our own almond, oat or rice “milk” then couldn’t we just list the ingredients used in making those things as part of the ingredients on the cosmetic label? As long as they are in the correct order, it seems like this should be acceptable. For example, I make almond milk for soap with almonds and water only. I already have water in my ingredient list, and so almonds would be at the end, because the amount in the “milk” would be less than any of the other ingredients, or less than 1% of the total ingredients.

    1. Marie Gale

      Yes. That is correct.

  6. Thanks Marie. An useful update.

  7. Thanks for this update, Marie. Really helps us vegan soapers!
    1

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