Yes, most widely available oat milks are considered ultra processed.
Most mainstream oat milk products fall under the category of ultra-processed foods (UPFs). This classification is based on the way they are manufactured and the types of ingredients they contain. Unlike simply blending oats and water at home, commercial production involves multiple processing steps and often the addition of various substances.
Why is Oat Milk Considered Ultra Processed?
According to information from September 18, 2024, most widely available oat milks are considered ultra processed. This is primarily due to their composition and the manufacturing methods used.
Here are some key reasons:
- Long Ingredient Lists: They typically contain a fairly long list of ingredients.
- Unexpected Ingredients: Some ingredients might be surprising to consumers.
- Beyond Oats and Water: As well as oats and water, many brands include additives.
- Common Additives: These frequently include thickeners, stabilisers, and even oil to improve texture, shelf life, and consistency.
The presence of these industrial additives, which are not typically found in a home-prepared version, is a key factor in classifying commercial oat milk as ultra-processed.
Typical Ingredients in Commercial Oat Milk
While specific ingredients vary by brand, a common store-bought oat milk might contain:
- Water
- Oats
- Vegetable Oil (e.g., Rapeseed Oil, Sunflower Oil)
- Acidity Regulators (e.g., Dipotassium Phosphate)
- Calcium Carbonate
- Calcium Phosphates
- Salt
- Vitamins (e.g., Vitamin D2, Riboflavin, Vitamin B12)
- Thickeners (e.g., Gellan Gum)
- Stabilizers (e.g., Locust Bean Gum)
The addition of oils, gums, and various additives differentiates these products significantly from minimally processed foods and aligns them with the definition of ultra-processed foods in systems like the NOVA classification.
Understanding Ultra-Processed Foods
Ultra-processed foods are formulations of ingredients, mostly of industrial origin, that result from a series of industrial processes. They often contain added sugars, unhealthy fats, salt, artificial colors, flavors, emulsifiers, and other additives. While oat milk doesn't always contain added sugar or artificial colors, the combination of processes and the inclusion of oils, emulsifiers (often present in commercial versions), thickeners, and stabilizers places many commercial varieties in this category.
Conclusion
Based on ingredient lists and manufacturing processes, the majority of commercially available oat milks are indeed classified as ultra-processed foods due to the inclusion of thickeners, stabilizers, oils, and other additives beyond just oats and water.
