With over 2 million cases of lactose intolerance in the United States and a growing vegan population, it’s no surprise that plant-based milk has experienced a surge in popularity, with popular coffees shops like Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts, and Dutch Bros beginning to offer milk substitutes, such as almond or coconut milk, instead of the traditional dairy milk.

But while plant-based milk sales increased by 9% in 2015, dairy milk decreased by 7%. This has lead to the Dairy Pride Act being introduced to congress with bipartisan support coming in favor of dairy farmers who feel that using the word “milk” to describe plant based liquids is false advertising and confusing to consumers. Others raise the question of nutrients: can you get enough calcium and protein from a glass of almond, coconut, soy, or hemp milk?

The answer is yes. Sophie Braza, a nutritionally-aware vegan, says that “while dairy advocates regularly accuse vegans of not getting enough calcium and protein, they fail to recognize that eating a balanced vegan diet increases the amount of nutrients consumed. Almost every almond milk brand on the market has 50% more calcium than dairy milk, and soy milk is a lower-sugar option with more protein than dairy milk. Additionally, vegetables such as kale, sweet potatoes, and avocados introduce a very healthy variety of nutrients that would not be otherwise present in an omnivorous diet.”  On the other hand, nutritionally fortified soy milk and a glass of cow’s milk are very similar, but both may result in raised estrogen level due to the hormones used to make dairy cows produce milk or because of similar hormones that alter the effects of soy. So, is it worth it to just consume soy milk? Studies recommend that people can safely consume one serving of soy a day, while altogether avoiding the common digestive disruptions from dairy lactose, a sugar found in milk.

Modern consumers focus on the benefits of moving away from animal products, such as milk, and on the benefits of plant-based products in contrast with the environmental detriments caused by the dairy industry and ethical concerns with the treatment of dairy cows in a traditional dairy factor.

However, dairy farmers are feeling the pressure to maintain an industry in a society where milk consumption is estimated to go down another 11% by 2020. Milk has been a part of the traditional American diet since the 19th century, but we are now facing a turning point and milk is no longer seen as a highly nutritious beverage and a pillar of the food pyramid. As food science advances, alternatives to traditional food are being discovered. Perhaps we are moving closer to a Soylent and genetically modified food future.

The question of labeling has been and will continue to be, hotly contested as movements ask for clear GMO labeling and accurate nutrition labeling. The future of food is still undecided, and for better or worse, bills like this will continue to be introduced as food continues to develop.