09 Jan 2025
Your perfect cuppa may have gone plant-based. While these dairy alternatives offer exciting options for consumers, they're not immune to food safety risks. Recent studies have shown that plant-based milk alternatives can support bacterial growth as readily as dairy milk if not handled correctly. Here is your essential guide to keeping plant-based dairy products safe.
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Last Updated 17 Jun 2026
Plant-based and dairy milk can support harmful bacteria growth despite their nutritional differences. Pathogens like Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella, and Escherichia coli thrive in both types of beverages as they provide adequate water, nutrients, and suitable pH levels. Raw ingredients in plant-based milks – particularly nuts – may introduce contaminants, such as mycotoxins, pesticide residues, and heavy metals during production. Their sugar content and improper storage temperatures can encourage bacterial growth, emphasising the need for proper food safety measures across all milk products.
The safety of your plant-based milk depends heavily on how you handle and store them after purchase, despite proper heat treatment by manufacturers to make the products safe.
As consumers, you can follow these tips to consume your plant-based milk safely:
