Nursery Milk Scheme ‘discriminates against vegan children’, charity claims Fortified plant milk should be ‘recognised on par with cow’s milk’, the Vegan Society has told the Government

Nurseries that do not offer a vegan alternative to cow’s milk as part of their free milk schemes are “indirectly discriminating against” children, a charity has said.

The Vegan Society has called on the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) to recognise the “growing consumer trend away from dairy products” and include fortified plant milk in its Nursery Milk Scheme after being contacted by parents unhappy with the current lack of provision.

Children under the age of five who attend approved daycare facilities are entitled to a third of a pint of pasteurised cows’ milk every day, free of charge, under the Government-funded Nursery Milk Scheme.

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The Vegan Society said it had heard from “dozens of parents” whose children are affected by the restricted choice, either because they choose not to consume dairy for religious, ethical or environmental reasons or because they are allergic to it.

Discrimination accusation

In a letter to the DHSC, a legal expert working for the charity called on the Government to ensure that fortified plant milk is “recognised on par with cow’s milk, wherever animal milk is currently supported or promoted in schools”.

The letter, addressed to the Health secretary Matt Hancock, states: “Law regulating the provision of milk for young children is in urgent need of reform to recognise current scientific evidence on nutrition and a growing consumer trend away from dairy products.

It continues: “Public authorities are under a general duty under the Equality Act 2010 to avoid discrimination by limiting the Nursery Milk Scheme only to cow’s milk, the Department of Health are failing in that duty.”



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The letter added: “It is important for everyone to eat calcium-rich foods daily, and fortified plant milks play an important role in vegan nutrition. Their calcium content is comparable with dairy milk and the soya variety is similar to cow’s milk in terms of protein quantity and quality.”

The DHSC said if it received a letter it would respond in due course.

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