Statement by Vegan Society Senior (UK Registered) Dietitian, Emily Angus, following the publication of the British Society for Allergy & Clinical Immunology (BSACI) report, ‘Recommendations on plant-based drinks for children aged one year or over’, published in BSACI’s Clinical and Experimental Allergy journal, 6 May 2026
“There is no advice in this report that has not already been shared by reputable health professionals, despite its widespread advance coverage in certain sections of the British media.
The Vegan Society wants 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 of 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.
Instead, choose unsweetened, fortified, plant milks and enjoy them as part of a balanced, nutritionally complete, vegan diet from the age of one.
For further information about nutrition for vegans, please visit Vegan Living | How to be healthy on a vegan diet.”
