The rise and fall of oat milk: Why people are boycotting the dairy alternative right now

Many former oat milk fans searching for an alternative to their milk alternative, ironically driven by the same ethical and health concerns that originally led them to choose drinking it in the first place.

So, let’s break down the reasons behind the oat milk boycott.

People claim they were tricked into believing oat milk was a healthy alternative

It’s easy to associate vegan and dairy free options with healthy eating, with most veggie influencers being pioneers of wellness and health, and animal-product alternatives often being advertised as the cleaner option. However, a lot of people are moving away from using oat milk after claiming they were almost tricked into believing it was a wellness product.

That’s because researchers have found that the nutritional content of most milk alternatives, including our beloved oat milk, doesn’t measure up to cow’s milk.

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Oatly received investment from a company which supports Donald Trump

Popular oat milk brand Oatly received a $200 million investment from from Blackstone, an alternative investment management company, and a group of other high-profile investors. Blackstone’s CEO previously donated $3.7million to Donald Trump’s 2020 campaign for reelection.

‘It’s Like Milk But Made For Humans’

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A post shared by Oatly (@oatly)

Back in 2023, the National Dairy Council in Ireland complained about an advertising campaign Oatly ran, where it used the term “It’s Like Milk But Made For Humans”.

Believing the brand shouldn’t be allowed to say that, a ruling was made with the conclusion that the ASAI agreed with Oatly on two of the three issues raised.

Oatly said at the time: “The National Dairy Council is concerned that our ad ‘It’s Like Milk But Made for Humans’ has the potential to mislead shoppers.

“Shoppers are entitled to choice and they don’t owe the dairy industry a default position in their lives. We are therefore reassured the ASAI agree with us on two of the three issues raised. Oat drink can of course be used for the same purpose as cow’s milk and dairy.”

Oatly and Blackstone have been contacted for comment. 

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