Who is choosing the drink?

Canteen buyers comparing lunch drinks

If fat and energy matter to the menu specification, compare the figures on the nutrition panel rather than treating “plant-based” or “no added sugar” as a nutrition comparison.

Canteens serving dairy-free guests regularly

Check which nutrients the exact carton lists as well as its fat content. Alpro UK lists calcium and iodine for its Roasted Almond No Sugars drink; other almond drinks have different ingredient and fortification profiles.

Teams managing nut-allergy risk

Almond is a nut allergen, and some cartons carry additional peanut or other-nut warnings. Check the current product label and use the canteen’s allergen-information and cross-contact procedures when storing and serving it.

What should the canteen check?

Start with comparable nutrition figures, then check the exact carton against the menu specification and the way the canteen will store and serve it.

Priority What to check Your needs
Fat, energy and sugars Compare fat, energy and total sugars on the same per-100-ml basis. Alpro UK lists 14 kcal, 1.1 g fat and 0 g sugars per 100 ml for Roasted Almond No Sugars; Tesco Groceries lists 56 kcal and 4.7 g sugars per 100 ml for the rice-containing Rude Health Organic Almond Drink. I want a lunch drink that meets a defined nutrition specification, not one chosen solely because its label says “no added sugar”.
Fortification Check the exact carton for calcium, iodine, vitamin D and vitamin B12 if these are required. Alpro UK lists calcium and iodine for Roasted Almond No Sugars; Tesco Groceries lists water, almonds and sea salt as the ingredients of Plenish Organic Almond Drink. For a regularly served dairy-free option, I want to know which specified nutrients the chosen carton provides.
Allergens Read the current almond declaration and any peanut or other-nut warning. Keep product information available at service and control cross-contact, in line with Food Standards Agency food-service guidance. Guests need accurate information about the drink and the way it is handled, not just a dairy-free description.
Storage and hot drinks Check unopened storage, refrigeration after opening and the stated opened life. Tesco Groceries says to use its unsweetened almond drink within 5 days of opening; Sainsbury’s states 3 days and Tesco Groceries states 4 days for Plenish. Follow the exact carton’s instructions when adding it to hot drinks. Our carton size needs to suit turnover, fridge space and whether the drink will be poured at lunch or used in tea and coffee.

Common buying mistakes

  • Equating “no added sugar” with low total sugars

    Tesco Groceries lists 4.7 g sugars and 56 kcal per 100 ml for Rude Health Organic Almond Drink, which contains rice despite having no added sugar.

    Set the menu specification using the nutrition panel’s energy, fat and total-sugars figures, not the front-of-pack wording alone.

  • Assuming every almond drink is fortified

    Alpro UK lists calcium and iodine for Roasted Almond No Sugars. The Plenish Organic Almond Drink ingredients listed by Tesco Groceries are water, organic almonds and sea salt; that product should not be treated as equivalent on fortification.

    If particular nutrients are required, check each one on the exact carton before ordering.

  • Using “dairy-free” as an allergy assurance

    Almond is a nut allergen. Tesco Groceries also warns that its unsweetened almond drink may contain peanuts and other nuts, while the Food Standards Agency identifies allergen control and cross-contamination as food-service considerations.

    Keep the current carton information available, communicate it through the canteen’s allergen process and control cross-contact during storage and service.

  • Overlooking life after opening

    Opened-carton instructions vary: Sainsbury’s states 3 days for its unsweetened drink, Tesco Groceries states 4 days for Plenish and 5 days for Tesco Unsweetened Almond Drink.

    Match order quantities to expected use, mark when cartons are opened and follow each pack’s refrigeration and use instructions.

Brand and product-line references

These examples show why a brand name alone cannot settle the choice: compare the specific almond drink and its label.

Tesco

Tesco Unsweetened Almond Drink is a chilled own-label option with listed calcium and iodine.

  • Tesco Groceries lists 15 kcal, 1.1 g fat and 0.3 g sugars per 100 g.
  • It contains almond, may contain peanuts and other nuts, and must be refrigerated and used within 5 days after opening.

Alpro

Alpro offers a no-sugars almond drink and a separate Barista Almond product; their labels should not be treated as interchangeable.

  • Alpro UK lists 14 kcal, 1.1 g fat, 0 g sugars, 120 mg calcium and 22.5 µg iodine per 100 ml for Roasted Almond No Sugars.
  • Check the exact variant when specifying nutrients or use in hot drinks.

Sainsbury’s

Sainsbury’s Unsweetened Almond Drink is a chilled own-label carton listing calcium and iodine.

  • Sainsbury’s lists 18 kcal, 1.4 g fat, less than 0.5 g sugars, 120 mg calcium and 22.5 µg iodine per 100 ml.
  • Use within 3 days after opening. Its label warns that it is not suitable for customers with an allergy to other nuts due to manufacturing methods.

M&S

M&S Unsweetened Almond Drink lists added calcium, iodine, vitamin D and vitamin B12.

  • Marks & Spencer lists 14 kcal, 0.9 g fat and 0.2 g sugars per 100 g.
  • Its product information says it is not suitable for people with a nut or peanut allergy.

Plenish

Plenish Organic Almond Drink has a short ingredient list: water, organic almonds and sea salt.

  • The ingredients listed by Tesco Groceries include 4% organic almonds.
  • Tesco Groceries lists 26 kcal and 2.2 g fat per 100 ml. Check the carton separately if added nutrients are part of the canteen specification.

Rude Health

Rude Health’s standard Organic Almond Drink contains rice; its No Sugars Organic Almond Drink is a different recipe.

  • The separate no-sugars product lists water, organic almonds, carob seed flour and sea salt as ingredients, according to Rude Health.
  • Tesco Groceries lists 56 kcal, 10 g carbohydrate and 4.7 g sugars per 100 ml for the standard rice-containing Organic Almond Drink. Check which variant is being ordered.

Joybuy product options

This long-life multi-carton option is relevant where a canteen wants an almond drink listing no sugars and can store unopened cartons in a cool, dry place.

Alpro Almond No Sugars Long Life Drink, 8 × 1 L

Alpro Almond No Sugars Long Life Drink, 8 × 1 L

The 8 × 1 L UHT pack suits a canteen planning how to store unopened cartons and rotate them after opening. This product’s listed figures are 20 kcal, 1.1 g fat and 0.0 g sugars per 100 ml; do not substitute the figures for Alpro’s separate Roasted Almond No Sugars carton. Its description lists calcium and vitamins B2, B12 and D, but iodine should be checked on the current carton if required. Store unopened cartons in a cool, dry place; refrigerate after opening and use within 5 days. The drink contains almond and still requires the canteen’s allergen controls.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

How do I compare almond drinks for a low-fat canteen lunch?

Use the fat, energy and sugars figures on the same nutrition basis, and check the exact variant. Per 100 ml, Alpro UK lists 14 kcal and 1.1 g fat for Roasted Almond No Sugars, while Sainsbury’s lists 18 kcal and 1.4 g fat for its unsweetened drink. Some other product panels use per 100 g, so do not present those figures as per-100-ml measurements.

When should the canteen check fortification?

Check it when the menu specification calls for particular nutrients in the dairy-free drink. Alpro UK lists calcium and iodine for Roasted Almond No Sugars, and Sainsbury’s lists both for its unsweetened carton. Read the exact pack for any required vitamins or iodine rather than assuming all almond drinks have the same additions.

Can almond drink be the dairy-free choice for every guest?

No: an almond drink is not suitable for someone with an almond allergy, and additional warnings differ by product. Tesco Groceries says its unsweetened carton may contain peanuts and other nuts; Sainsbury’s warns about other nuts due to manufacturing methods. Check the current label and follow the canteen’s allergen-information and cross-contact procedures.

What matters when serving opened cartons or hot drinks?

Follow the storage and preparation directions for the exact carton. Tesco Groceries states 5 days after opening for Tesco Unsweetened Almond Drink and 4 days for Plenish Organic Almond Drink; Sainsbury’s states 3 days for its unsweetened carton. For tea or coffee service, check the pack’s hot-drink instructions rather than assuming every variant behaves the same way.