Statement by Vegan Society Senior (UK Registered) Dietitian, Emily Angus, following British newspaper articles on plant milk consumption by children
“Recent articles in The Sun, Times and Daily Telegraph newspapers have made negative claims about plant milks, many referencing a forthcoming report by the British Society for Allergy & Clinical Immunology (BSACI), ‘Recommendations on plant-based drinks for children aged one year or over’ (due for publication on 6 May 2026).
While The Vegan Society will wait for the publication of the BSACI report before making a full statement, we want to reassure vegans and other people who enjoy plant milks that, when consumed as part of a balanced plant-based diet, these products are safe and can provide a healthy alternative to dairy milk, with well-recognised benefits for many people.
Unsweetened and fortified plant-based dairy alternatives can provide a valuable source key nutrients, including calcium, Vitamin D, iodine, and Vitamin B12, as well as comparable protein to dairy milk in the case of soya milk. Many varieties also contribute to fibre intake (unlike dairy milk) and are typically lower in saturated fat and total sugar content than dairy milk.
As reported by the UK Government’s Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) and Committee on Toxicity (COT) in their ‘Guidance on plant-based alternatives to dairy milk’ (published 16 July 2025), unsweetened and fortified soya, almond, and oat milks are an acceptable and safe alternative to cow’s milk from the age of one.
In addition, current guidance from both the British Dietetic Association and the EatWell guide already recognises the role of plant-based dairy alternatives for those who do not consume dairy products.
Common sense dictates that children’s consumption of products with added sugar should be limited and The Vegan Society does not recommend the regular consumption of plant milks with added sugar, particularly in the case of young children.”
