Is Original Oatmilk Kosher?

The Ingredient Breakdown

When determining if a product like Original Oatmilk is Kosher, we look beyond the main ingredient and scrutinize the additives. The base is simple: filtered water and oats. However, the fortification and stabilizers are where questions often arise. Let's look at the specific additives listed in the ingredients: Calcium Carbonate, Dipotassium Phosphate, Sea Salt, Gellan Gum, and various vitamins.

The most common concern in plant-based milks is the stabilizer. Gellan Gum and Dipotassium Phosphate are widely used in the food industry. Gellan gum is a bacterial fermentation product (polysaccharide), not an animal product, making it inherently Kosher. Dipotassium Phosphate is a mineral salt used to prevent separation, and it is also synthetic and Kosher-compliant.

Regarding the vitamins, Vitamin A (Palmitate), Vitamin D2, Riboflavin (B2), and Vitamin B12 are the specific points of interest. In the past, Vitamin D2 was sometimes derived from yeast or fungi, which is Kosher, but Vitamin D3 is often derived from lanolin (sheep's wool), which is not. This product uses Vitamin D2 (Ergocalciferol), which is plant/fungi-derived and perfectly acceptable. Similarly, the B12 and other vitamins are synthetic or fermented, avoiding any non-Kosher animal sources.

Nutritional Value

While Kosher status is the primary focus, the nutritional profile of Original Oatmilk is also significant for those maintaining a balanced diet. A standard serving typically contains between 120 to 130 calories, which is slightly higher than almond milk but comparable to dairy milk. The caloric density comes primarily from the carbohydrates in the oats.

Regarding sugar, plain Original Oatmilk usually contains 0g of added sugar, relying on the natural sweetness of the oats. However, the total carbohydrate count (around 16-19g) includes natural sugars (maltose) formed during the enzymatic processing of the oats. This gives it a creamy texture and sweet taste without added sweeteners, fitting well into a diet that monitors added sugars but requires energy-dense foods.