Letter: What other substitutions are found in alt-milks?

From Paul Whiteley, Bittaford, Devon, UK

Chelsea Whyte lists alternatives to cow's milk (22 September, p 22). Potential convertees should be cautious as not all alternatives are what they seem, with price not necessarily being a helpful guide.

Soya milk can contain as little as 5 per cent soya beans. The best I've seen in the UK is 12 per cent. Similarly, almond milk can have wide ranging amounts of almonds from as low as 2 per cent. I once saw some that had no almonds, only almond flavouring!

The bulk of the liquid in dairy milk alternatives, apart from the headline ingredient, is made up of corn starches, maltodextrins, gums and sweeteners, usually apple juice, and added vitamins.

Continental soya milks fare much better at 17 per cent and up, even for cheap supermarket brands, and tend to have less or no bulking and “flavouring”.

Consumers should be careful that they are not being ripped off in the Wild West of milk alternatives, and should always check the ingredients.