As many of you know, Muscle Milk makes “Non-Dairy” products that are actually rich with dairy-derived ingredients. In fact, their entire line up of ready-to-drink shakes, until now, was based on milk proteins. But they’ve officially launched Muscle Milk Plant Protein Shakes, which are dairy-free and vegan by ingredients. In this post, we have the pertinent information on this new ready-to-drink product line, in addition to some clarity on this brand’s confusing labels.
Muscle Milk Plant Protein Shakes Shun All Types of Dairy
The initial release of Muscle Milk Plant Protein Shakes includes the following flavors, each with a whopping 30 grams of vegan protein per bottle and all 9 essential amino acids. In addition to ingredients and nutrition facts, in this section we have some FAQs to help differentiate these new shakes from their core lines.
Chocolate
Ingredients: water, pea protein isolate, sugar, natural flavor, canola protein isolate, cocoa (processed with alkali), brown rice protein isolate, high oleic sunflower oil, potassium phosphate, sodium gluconate, sunflower lecithin, potassium chloride, purified stevia leaf extract, gellan gum, l-tryptophan, cyanocobalamin (vitamin b12).
Nutrition (per 14-ounce bottle): 220 calories, 5g fat, 450mg sodium, 10g carbs, 3g fiber, 5g sugars (includes 5g added sugars), 30g protein. Contains the following FDA percentages: 120% vitamin b12, 25% iron, 15% potassium, 10% calcium.*
Caramel Vanilla
Ingredients: water, pea protein isolate, sugar, canola protein isolate, natural flavor, brown rice protein isolate, high oleic sunflower oil, potassium phosphate, sodium gluconate, sunflower lecithin, potassium chloride, purified stevia leaf extract, gellan gum, l-tryptophan, cyanocobalamin (vitamin b12).
Nutrition (per 14-ounce bottle): 200 calories, 4.5g fat, 450mg sodium, 6g carbs, 2g fiber, 4g sugars (includes 4g added sugars), 30g protein. Contains the following FDA percentages: 120% vitamin b12, 25% iron, 15% potassium, 10% calcium.*
Muscle Milk FAQs
Why Do All Muscle Milk Shake Products State “Non-Dairy” or “Contains No Milk?”
In 2011, the FDA issued an official warning to CytoSport, the makers of Muscle Milk, for mislabeling their product as “milk.” Muscle milk is made densely from extracted milk proteins, not from fluid milk, which doesn’t meet their milk definition. In compromise, the company began using statements like “non-dairy” and “contains no milk” on their packaging. Bizarre indeed, since their core protein shakes are rich with dairy-derived ingredients. Those ingredients are even the components that make milk a top allergen.
The complaints stemmed from a 2009 petition by Nestlé USA to revoke CytoSport’s Muscle Milk trademark for being “deceptively misdescriptive.” But some people argue that CytoSport brought this on itself. CytoSport took legal action in the past to block other trademark applications that used “Milk” in their name. They even sued a small dairy-free company called Angel Milk, which went out of business under the weight of legal fees and loss of contracts.
What Makes the Plant Protein Shakes Different from the Other Muscle Milk Shakes?
Their ZERO, Genuine, and Pro Advanced Nutrition ready-to-drink shakes are all lactose-free, but they’re made with casein and/or whey milk proteins. The Plant Protein shakes use a dairy-free combination of pea, brown rice, and canola proteins instead of dairy proteins. The latter are vegan-friendly and made without any dairy-derived ingredients.
How Can I Tell Which Muscle Milk Products are Actually Dairy Free?
As with all products, always check the ingredients to verify. Per FDA regulations, they do have to clearly disclose any milk in the ingredients, either within the ingredients or with a “contains milk” statement. But to help you easily spot the Muscle Milk Plant Protein Shakes, which are dairy-free by ingredients, they’ve made the packaging boldly green. The dairy-based Muscle Milk products currently available have labeling that is primarily blue or black in color.
Are the Plant Protein Shakes Made on Shared Lines with their other Shakes?
We assume they probably are, but most companies do clean the lines between products. And allergen protocols are usually utilized when major allergens are involved. But you will need to contact the company to discuss their allergen protocols if you are concerned about potential cross contamination with milk or other ingredients in production. Only you can decide what is safe for your needs. You can contact them during standard business hours (EST) at 1-888-298-6629.
More Facts on Muscle Milk Plant Protein Shakes
- Price: $4.99 per 14-ounce single-serve bottle; $10.99 per 4-pack of 11-ounce single serve packages
- Availability: Muscle Milk Plant Protein Shakes are currently sold on Amazon, but are also rolling out to many retailers where other Muscle Milk products are sold. Don’t confuse them with the ones that contain dairy!
- Certifications: We did not see any certifications on this product.
- Dietary Notes: By ingredients, Muscle Milk Plant Protein Shakes are dairy-free / non-dairy, egg-free, gluten-free, nut-free, peanut-free, soy-free, vegan, and vegetarian.*
- For More Product Information: Visit the Muscle Milk website at www.musclemilk.com.
*Always read the ingredient and nutrition statement prior to consumption. Ingredients, processes, and labeling are subject to change at any time for any company or product. Contact the company to discuss their manufacturing processes if potential allergen cross-contamination is an issue for you. No food product can be guaranteed “safe” for every individual’s needs. You should never rely on ingredient and allergen statements alone if dealing with a severe food allergy.