Raise a glass of plant milk on World School Milk Day!

Plant-based milk has come a long way since the first World School Milk Day was launched 22 years ago

This Wednesday is World School Milk Day! 

Launched 22 years ago, the day is traditionally associated with dairy milk but with 68% of the global population being lactose intolerant, and many people suffering from cow’s milk allergy, it’s no surprise that more and more countries are promoting plant-based milk as an alternative to dairy. 

“Plant-based milk offers those with intolerance or dairy milk allergies a much greater choice at school mealtimes and there is a growing array of nutritious plant-based milks to choose from. These milks also offer greater choice to young people who want animal friendly drinks as well,” Jasmijn de Boo, Vice President of food awareness organisation, ProVeg International, said.

Plant-based milk can also be appealing to young people because of its smaller impact on the environment compared to the dairy counterparts.

“Young people are eager to make a difference as individuals to the challenges we face with climate change. They are becoming more aware that what we eat and drink impacts the environment,” de Boo said.  “Adopting a more plant-based diet is one of the quickest and most effective ways of doing that,” she added.

The European Commission is in the process of considering whether to include plant-based milks in the EU School Scheme, which currently only subsidises cow’s milk. A petition by ProVeg International in support of calcium-fortified plant-based milk inclusion in the scheme has already garnered 70,000 signatures from across Europe.

Within the plant-based sector, companies such as Oatly have been highlighting the value of adding plant-based milk to the EU scheme through the company’s “Normalize it” campaign which ran throughout the Spring and Summer of 2022.

“There is so much support out there for including plant-based milks in the EU scheme and we are confident they will be included in the scheme by 2024,” de Boo said. “They are environmentally friendly, animal friendly and they are nutritious as well.”

Soya milk, for example, naturally contains the same amount of protein as cow’s milk, with about 3 g per 100 ml.  Due to the fact that many manufacturers fortify soya milk with calcium and other vitamins, such as B12, B2, D, and A, nutrition experts state that it can be used as a nutritionally adequate alternative to cow’s milk.((Mäkinen O. E., Wanhalinna V., Zannini E. et al. (2016): Foods for Special Dietary Needs: Non-dairy Plant-based Milk Substitutes and Fermented Dairy-type Products. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 56, p.339–349)) 

“Providing fortified plant-based drinks in schools is hugely important given the need to transition to a plant-based food system. Plant-based drinks are not only nutritious but are more sustainable for the environment and should be encouraged,” Dr Shireen Kassam, Founder of Plant-Based Health Professionals UK, said. 

Chantal Tomlinson, dietitian at The Vegan Society, said calcium-fortified plant alternatives to milk play a significant role in the diets of vegan children and those who cannot have dairy milk for health and religious reasons.

“Alternatives can be a rich source of protein and make a significant contribution towards meeting calcium requirements. Many plant-based milks are now being fortified with iodine, which is especially important for children’s development,” Tomlinson said.

The Vegan Society’s “Play Fair with Plant Milk” campaign calls for fortified plant-based milk to be recognised as an alternative wherever animal milk is currently supported or promoted. 

“This is essential to ensure children who cannot have animal milks are not being excluded and can receive a similar nutritional benefit to their classmates,” she added.

ENDS

 

Notes to Editors

For media inquiries, email Cristina Rodrigo at [email protected]

 

Origins of World School Milk Day

Originally started in 2000 by the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), World School Milk Day is held on the last Wednesday of September when most children around the world are in school.

 

About ProVeg International

ProVeg is an international food awareness organisation working to transform the global food system by replacing conventional animal-based products with plant-based and cultured alternatives.

ProVeg works with international decision-making bodies, governments, food producers, investors, the media, and the general public to help the world transition to a society and economy that are less dependent on animal agriculture and more sustainable for humans, animals, and the planet.

ProVeg has permanent-observer status with the UNFCCC, is accredited for UNEA, and has received the United Nations’ Momentum for Change Award.

Latest updates and news

9 Plant-Based Recipes for Eid

This year, the Muslim holy month of Ramadan comes to a close on 10 April, with the occasion…

Youth Board 2024

Meet the new Youth Board!

ProVeg is thrilled to announce the launch of this year’s Youth Board! 20 young people from…

ProVeg Workshop at UNEA-6

What is UNEA-6 and why is ProVeg going?

ProVeg will participate in the sixth session of the United National Environmental Assembly, marking the third time our UN Advocacy team will be represented.

Gain insights and explore the latest nutrition, climate, … news.

Subscribe now to receive…

  • Nutrition advice & plant-based recipes.
  • Updates on our work and projects.
  • And information on how you can support what we do.

Subscribe to the ProVeg Living Newsletter

Name(Required)