Mexico's Federal Consumer Protection Agency (Profeco) has issued a warning regarding flavored milk products marketed to children, revealing that several popular brands fail to meet the legal definition of milk. The agency’s latest analysis, published in the April edition of the Revista del Consumidor, identified six products that substitute milk fat with vegetable fat.
Profeco tested 32 different flavored milk products, evaluating their nutritional content, energy levels, sugar levels, and fat composition. The agency sought to verify the presence of butyric fat, which is naturally derived from cow's milk and is a key indicator of product purity.
The cost of cheap ingredients
The investigation found that manufacturers often use vegetable fat, which is frequently hydrogenated, to reduce production costs. According to MedlinePlus, hydrogenated oils can contain trans fats, which are linked to higher levels of 'bad' cholesterol and reduced levels of 'good' cholesterol.
Beyond the fat content, these alternative products typically offer lower protein and calcium levels compared to genuine dairy. They also tend to be loaded with additional sugars, emulsifiers, and thickeners, which nutritionists suggest are unnecessary for a child's diet.
Profeco highlighted that the six products identified as containing vegetable fat were among the most affordable in the study, retailing for approximately seven pesos per 200-milliliter carton. The agency noted that these items cannot legally be labeled as 'milk' because they rely on a mix of dairy products and vegetable oils.
The Vaca Blanca brand stood out during the testing process for inaccurate labeling. While most brands analyzed contained between 4.5 and 7 grams of sugar per 100 milliliters, Vaca Blanca was found to contain 11 grams of sugar per 100 milliliters, exceeding the amount declared on its packaging.
Health experts emphasize that even when products contain genuine milk, parents should monitor consumption due to high sugar content. The World Health Organization recommends that children limit their intake of free sugars to no more than 25 grams per day to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Profeco advises consumers to read labels carefully and prioritize natural dairy sources over highly processed, sugar-sweetened beverages.
