While dairy alternative drinks account for a relatively limited 6% share of total global dairy launches recorded by Innova Market Insights in 2015, the market has seen ongoing penetration outside its more traditional Asian market. ###This is reflected in the static launch numbers for the region over the past five years, while rising activity in Europe has taken its global share up from 30% to 38%.###“The non-dairy milk drinks market has seen considerable development in recent years in the light of rising interest in lactose and dairy free options,” reports Lu Ann Williams, director of innovation.###“Its initial spread from traditional markets in Asia to the West was via specialist health-food outlets, but in recent years it has moved more squarely into the mainstream and grown beyond its reliance on soy to a whole range of other plant-based foods, led by nuts and grains.”###Soy milks traditionally dominated the sector and stilcalcium citrate 1500 mg with vitamin dl featured in over 60% of dairy alternative drinks launches globally in 2015, either as a main or secondary ingredient, although this has fallen from nearly 75% in 2011. ###Almond milks, which have seen dynamic growth in recent years, have increased their share to feature in over 28% of launches, ahead of rice, coconut and oat milks.###The other notable feature of market development has been the stronger move of dairy alternative drinks out of the white milks sub-category and into flavored variants, with increasingly upmarket and complex flavors and blends in line with the milk drinks market as a whole. ###Also in line with the milks market as a whole, there has been a strocitracal calcium citrate magnesium & mineralsng move into fashionable milk-based coffee drinks.###Soy milk has traditionally been marketed on its health benefits and its newer, plant-basmagnesium citrate liquided competition has continued this trend. ###Over 90% of dairy alternamagnesium citrate for migrainestive drinks launched in 2015 were marketed on a health platform of some kind. ###Thzinc gluconate 76 mge most popular individual claim was lactose free, used on over 47% of introductions, up from about one-third in 2011, probably as a result of improved allergen labeling, as well as growing awareness of lactose intolerance and interest in free-from foods in general.###Interest in clean labeling appears to have boosted the use of natural and no additives/preservatives claims and these were used on 36% of launches, rising to nearly 64%, if organic claims are also included. ###There is also rising use of non-GMO claims, despite legislation in many markets including the EU that means GM ingredients have to be declared in any case. ###The US has seen growing levels of concern in recent years, with nearly half of dairy alternative drinks launches in the country in 2015 carrying non-GMO claims, compared with just under a quarter globally. ###Even in the EU, where GM ingredients have to be declared, nearly 11% of introductions used GM-free labeling.###“The dairy alternative drinks market is booming,” concludes Williams.###“And further growth is expected with growing interest in dairy-free and lactose free products as a lifestyle choice, rather than simply an option for those with allergies and intolerances.”###“In the move to offer something new, we are also starting to see not only a wide variety of increasingly sophisticated flavor options, but also blends of milks from different sources,” she adds.