Most Processed Plant-Based Milk Brands
Oat milk undergoes enzymatic treatment that breaks down starches into sugars — a processing step most consumers do not know about. Almond milk is essentially filtered almond water with added thickeners. Most plant milks add oils, stabilizers (gellan gum, locust bean gum), vitamins, and emulsifiers to approximate dairy milk consistency.
Plant-Based Milk at a Glance
15 Most Processed Plant-Based Milk Brands
Brands ranked by highest average processing score across all their products in this category.
| Rank | Brand | Products | Scores | Ultra | Minimal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Don jose | 4 | 15.5 5.0 | 4 | 0 |
| 2 | Slimfast | 33 | 13.6 5.3 | 33 | 0 |
| 3 | Cytosport | 11 | 13.2 5.8 | 10 | 0 |
| 4 | Muscle | 5 | 13.2 5.6 | 5 | 0 |
| 5 | CVS | 3 | 13.1 2.3 | 3 | 0 |
| 6 | Parents choice | 9 | 13.0 5.7 | 9 | 0 |
| 7 | Comforts | 4 | 13.0 5.5 | 4 | 0 |
| 8 | Premier protein | 175 | 12.8 5.5 | 166 | 0 |
| 9 | Muscle milk | 160 | 12.6 5.3 | 144 | 0 |
| 10 | Boost | 20 | 12.5 6.4 | 20 | 0 |
| 11 | Kroger | 29 | 12.1 5.0 | 25 | 4 |
| 12 | Soylent | 20 | 12.0 5.9 | 20 | 0 |
| 13 | Slimfast keto | 5 | 12.0 3.6 | 5 | 0 |
| 14 | Body fortress | 6 | 12.0 6.3 | 6 | 0 |
| 15 | Slim fast | 5 | 11.8 3.6 | 5 | 0 |
Closest Look: Top 5 Most Processed
Least Processed Plant-Based Milk Products
Individual products with the lowest processing scores.
Most Processed Plant-Based Milk Products
Individual products with the highest processing scores.
What to Look for on the Label
- 1Simple plant milks list only the base ingredient, water, and salt
- 2Oils (sunflower, rapeseed) are added for mouthfeel — not necessary
- 3Gellan gum, locust bean gum, and carrageenan are common stabilizer additives
- 4"Barista" versions add extra oils and stabilizers for frothing capability
Least Processed Plant-Based Milk Brands
For comparison — brands with the lowest average processing scores.
| Rank | Brand | Products | Scores | Ultra | Minimal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Embe | 5 | 1.0 2.4 | 0 | 5 |
| 2 | Pamana | 6 | 1.5 3.0 | 0 | 6 |
| 3 | Wander nuts | 10 | 1.7 5.0 | 0 | 10 |
| 4 | Natures greatest foods | 18 | 1.7 2.5 | 0 | 15 |
| 5 | Thai kitchen | 42 | 2.0 3.0 | 0 | 42 |
| 6 | Aroy-d | 4 | 2.0 3.0 | 0 | 4 |
| 7 | Winneram intl | 3 | 2.0 3.5 | 0 | 3 |
| 8 | Asian taste | 3 | 2.0 4.0 | 0 | 3 |
| 9 | Bareorganics | 3 | 2.0 5.0 | 0 | 3 |
| 10 | Lavva | 5 | 2.0 3.2 | 0 | 5 |
| 11 | Jubali | 3 | 2.0 5.0 | 0 | 3 |
| 12 | Jennys tofu | 3 | 2.0 4.0 | 0 | 3 |
| 13 | Select fare | 20 | 2.0 3.3 | 0 | 20 |
| 14 | Golden star | 6 | 2.0 2.8 | 0 | 6 |
| 15 | Thanh son tofu | 8 | 2.0 5.1 | 0 | 8 |
How We Score Products
Every product is evaluated using two independent scores. The Processing Score (lower is better) measures the degree of industrial processing based on ingredient analysis, including the presence of artificial additives, preservatives, and highly modified ingredients. The Nutrition Score (higher is better) rates overall nutritional quality, rewarding protein and fiber while penalizing excess sodium, added sugars, and saturated fat.
Products are assigned to one of four processing levels: Minimal (score ≤ 2.5), Processed (2.6 – 5.0), Highly Processed (5.1 – 8.0), and Ultra-Processed (above 8.0). Brand averages are calculated across all products in the category to produce the rankings shown here.
Based on analysis of 1.98 million products in the USDA FoodData Central database. For a deeper look at the methodology, see our Processing Score guide and Two-Score System explanation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the enzymatic process in oat milk?
Oat milk production uses industrial enzymes (amylase) to break down oat starches into simple sugars, creating the creamy texture. This is why oat milk tastes sweet without added sugar — the starch has been converted.
Why do plant milks need so many additives?
Plant-based ingredients do not naturally emulsify with water the way dairy fat does. Oils, gums, and emulsifiers are needed to prevent separation and create a milk-like consistency.
Are barista blends more processed?
Yes. Barista plant milks add extra oils (rapeseed, sunflower), dipotassium phosphate, and additional stabilizers to achieve the frothing and steaming properties that baristas need.
Related Food Guides
Learn more about how individual foods are classified.
Disclaimer: All tools and data visualizations are provided for educational and informational purposes only. They are not intended as health, medical, or dietary advice. Product formulations change frequently — always check the actual label for current ingredients and nutrition facts before making purchasing decisions. Consult healthcare professionals for personalized dietary guidance.