Is Great value, unsweetened almondmilk, original Kosher?

The Ingredient Breakdown

As a food scientist, I analyze ingredients to look for hidden non-Kosher animal derivatives or cross-contamination risks. The formula for this almondmilk is surprisingly clean and plant-based, which inherently removes the most common Kosher concerns found in dairy products.

The base consists of filtered water and almonds. Almonds are inherently Kosher (Pareve), meaning they contain no meat or dairy. The fortification ingredients—calcium carbonate, potassium citrate, and sea salt—are mineral-based and pose no Kosher issues.

Where we often see flags in plant-based milks is the emulsifier. This product uses sunflower lecithin. This is a crucial detail; many brands use soy lecithin, which is fine, but some use glycerin or mono- and diglycerides. If those were derived from animal fats, they would be non-Kosher. By using sunflower lecithin, the manufacturer eliminates that risk entirely.

Finally, the vitamins: vitamin a palmitate, vitamin d2, and d-alpha-tocopherol (natural vitamin E). Vitamin D2 is almost always derived from fungal or yeast sources, making it Kosher. Vitamin A is synthetic or plant-derived in this context. There are no red flags here.

Nutritional Value

From a nutritional standpoint, Great Value Unsweetened Almondmilk is a low-calorie option. A single cup contains approximately 30 calories, which is significantly lower than dairy milk (roughly 150 calories) and even sweetened almondmilks (often 60-90 calories).

Because it is the "Unsweetened" variety, it contains 0 grams of sugar. This makes it an excellent choice for those managing blood sugar levels, following a Keto diet, or simply trying to reduce added sugars in their diet. It also contains about 2.5 grams of fat per serving, primarily from the almonds, which is a healthy, unsaturated fat.

The product is fortified with Calcium and Vitamin D, bringing it roughly on par with dairy milk in terms of bone health support. It fits well within most heart-healthy and weight-management diet limits due to its low caloric density and lack of added sugars.