Consumer perception of plant-based milk alternatives: systematic review

Plant-Based Milk (PBM) alternatives have been a hype recently, drawing the high focus of investors, developers, and researchers. However, despite this surge in interest, the market size and potential of these products remain unclear. While several studies explored consumer perspectives on these alternatives, the variability in findings remains poorly understood. This systematic review aims to investigate consumer perceptions of PBM and to identify the factors associated with higher acceptance. Adhering to the PRISMA-P methodology, searches on two major databases – Scopus and Web of Science – were conducted. Research papers published between 2019 and 2024 were screened to capture the most recent insights, resulting in thirty-one articles. Among these studies, 71% were surveys, 50% were conducted in Europe and 46% in America. Additionally, 78% of the studies had a sample size of 500 participants or fewer, 71% assessed the perception of PBM alternative in general, while equally, 12.9% focused on soy-based milk and 12.9% on coconut-based milk. Overall, the studies evaluated preference for PBM over dairy milk, motives for consumption and other relevant factors. The research describes the socio-demographic criteria associated with the high adoption rates of these products, the reasons for choosing dairy substitutes (such as curiosity, health benefits, or social influence), and the perceived advantages and barriers to their use. The expected outcomes of this study can provide valuable insights for designing effective marketing strategies for PBM and fostering the development of sustainable and healthy food systems.