The European Food Information Council (EUFIC) has released the final research reports of its survey exploring how nutrition professionals in Spain and Portugal view plant-based dairy alternatives (PBDAs) such as soy, oat, almond, rice and coconut-based drinks and yoghurts.
Why it matters
The findings come at a time of evolving dietary habits, growing interest in plant-based foods and continued debate about how such foods should be reflected in public health guidance and sustainability policies.
Key findings
- Strong support: 88% of Spanish and 93% of Portuguese professionals recognise PBDAs as part of a healthy diet
- Dietary guidelines: 78% in Spain and 76% in Portugal support including PBDAs in national dietary guidelines
- Fortification: 81% in Spain and 96% in Portugal believe PBDAs should be fortified with vitamins and/or minerals
- Top reasons for recommending PBDAs: lactose intolerance, vegan/plant-based diets and dietary diversity
- Awareness gaps: Differences remain in professionals’ perceptions of nutritional value, processing, environmental impact and fortification — highlighting the importance of clearer guidance and communication to support informed recommendations
What’s in the full report?
The newly released report goes beyond headline figures to provide
- detailed statistics, charts, and comparisons with previous research
- insights into professionals’ familiarity, exposure, and consumption patterns
- qualitative responses illustrating reasoning and justifications
- implications for nutrition research, practice and policy.