Celebrating World Plant Milk Day

Every year on 22nd August, people around the world raise a glass – of oat, soy, almond, or any other plant-based milk – to celebrate World Plant Milk Day. 

The day shines a spotlight on the growing popularity of dairy-free alternatives and encourages us to explore how choosing plant-based options can benefit our health, the planet, and even our taste buds.

What is World Plant Milk Day?

World Plant Milk Day was created to raise awareness of the wide variety of dairy alternatives available. It’s a celebration of choice – from creamy oat milk for your morning coffee to refreshing coconut milk in smoothies, or pea and hemp milk in protein shakes. 

Whether you’re vegan, lactose-intolerant, or simply curious, the day invites everyone to give plant milk a try.

Why Choose Plant Milk?

There are many reasons people are switching to plant-based alternatives:

Health Benefits – Plant milks are often lower in saturated fats than cow’s milk and many are fortified with vitamins such as B12, D, and calcium. They can also be easier to digest for those with lactose intolerance.

Environmental Impact – Producing plant-based milks typically requires less land and water and results in lower greenhouse gas emissions compared to dairy farming.

Animal Welfare – Choosing plant milk avoids the use of animals in the production process, aligning with vegan and cruelty-free lifestyles.

Variety of Flavours – With so many options available, there’s a plant milk to suit every taste and recipe.

How to Celebrate World Plant Milk Day

If you’d like to take part, here are some fun and simple ways to mark the occasion:

Try Something New – If you usually drink soy, why not branch out and try oat, almond, rice, or hazelnut milk today?

Bake or Cook with Plant Milk – Use coconut milk in a curry, almond milk in pancakes, or oat milk in a creamy pasta sauce.

Share Your Creations – Post your plant milk recipes or drinks on social media with the hashtag #WorldPlantMilkDay to inspire others.

Support Local Brands – Many UK-based companies are producing high-quality plant milks – buying from them supports local businesses and sustainability.

Switch for a Week – Challenge yourself to use plant milk exclusively for seven days and see how easy (and tasty) it is to make the change.

A Toast to the Future

World Plant Milk Day isn’t just about one day – it’s about encouraging a longer-term shift towards healthier and more sustainable choices. With supermarkets and cafés now offering a wide range of plant-based options, there has never been a better time to celebrate.

So, this 22nd August, whether you’re pouring oat milk into your tea, frothing soy milk for a latte, or blending a smoothie with cashew milk, join millions around the world in raising a glass to plant-based living.

Delicious and Nutritious Alternatives to Peanut Butter

Peanut butter has been a household staple for well over 100 years. It's beloved for its creamy texture and protein-packed punch. 

But unfortunately not everyone can enjoy it. Peanut allergies, dietary preferences, or simply the desire to try something new has encouraged many to look for alternatives. Thankfully, there’s a wide range of tasty spreads that can step in and even offer unique nutritional benefits.

Why Look Beyond Peanut Butter?

Allergies: Peanut allergies are among the most common food allergies, especially in children.

Variety: Trying different nut and seed butters can bring fresh flavours to your toast, smoothies, and bakes.

Nutrition: Some alternatives contain more fibre, omega-3s, or other valuable nutrients.

Top Alternatives to Peanut Butter

1. Almond Butter

Rich in vitamin E, magnesium, and calcium, almond butter is a smooth and slightly sweet alternative. It pairs beautifully with apple slices or drizzled over porridge.

2. Cashew Butter

Creamy and mild, cashew butter has a subtle flavour that works well in both sweet and savoury dishes. It’s often used in vegan cooking to make creamy sauces and desserts.

3. Hazelnut Butter

If you’re fond of Nutella but want something less sugary, pure hazelnut butter is a luxurious option. Its rich, nutty taste works well with bananas or spread on wholegrain toast.

4. Walnut Butter

Walnuts are packed with omega-3 fatty acids, making walnut butter an excellent choice for heart health. Its earthy flavour is best enjoyed blended into smoothies or spread thinly on crackers.

5. Sunflower Seed Butter

A brilliant option for those with nut allergies, sunflower seed butter has a slightly earthy taste and is high in vitamin E. It’s especially popular in schools where nut-free policies are in place.

6. Pumpkin Seed Butter

Deep green in colour and rich in iron, zinc, and magnesium, pumpkin seed butter is a powerhouse spread. Its savoury notes make it a great match for oatcakes or stirred into soups.

7. Tahini (Sesame Seed Paste)

Best known for its starring role in hummus, tahini is made from ground sesame seeds. It’s high in calcium and has a distinctive nutty, slightly bitter taste. Delicious in dressings, dips, or even drizzled over roasted vegetables.

8. Soy Butter

Another nut-free alternative, soy butter has a taste and texture close to peanut butter, making it a great swap for sandwiches and baking.

9. Coconut Butter

Made from the flesh of coconuts, this option has a naturally sweet flavour. It solidifies at room temperature but melts beautifully when spread on warm toast or stirred into porridge.

Creative Ways to Use Peanut Butter Alternatives

Smoothies: Blend cashew or almond butter for creaminess.

Baking: Swap sunflower seed butter into biscuits or flapjacks for a nut-free treat.

Cooking: Use tahini in salad dressings or walnut butter in pasta sauces.

Snacking: Pair apple slices with hazelnut butter or oatcakes with pumpkin seed butter.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re avoiding peanuts or simply fancy a change, the world of nut and seed butters offers plenty of exciting options. Each spread brings its own unique flavour and nutritional profile, so don’t be afraid to experiment and find your favourites. Your morning toast may never be the same again!

UK Food Industry Leaders Reaffirm Critical Support for the Amazon Soy Moratorium Amid Growing Threats

Over 50 top UK businesses, representing over 60% of the UK’s demand for soy, have reaffirmed their support for the Amazon Soy Moratorium (ASM), a groundbreaking, voluntary agreement that has substantially helped decouple soy production from deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon since it was introduced in 2008.

The message was delivered by the UK Soy Manifesto, whose signatories include some of the country’s most recognisable food industry leaders including leading UK supermarkets, large restaurant chains, food manufacturers and ingredients businesses. 

It's come at a critical moment, as the ASM faces mounting pressure from the agribusiness sector and new legislation that threatens to dismantle its protections.

New state-level legislation in Brazil - including the withdrawal of tax incentives for companies adhering to the ASM –is widely viewed as an attempt to weaken the effectiveness and international credibility of the Moratorium, which is backed by a wide range of NGOs including Greenpeace and WWF.

“The ASM has been one of the most effective voluntary agreements in tackling deforestation. Weakening it now risks reversing one of the most successful forest conservation models in modern history,” Jonathan Gorman, Secretariat, UK Soy Manifesto told That's Food and Drink.

Since its adoption, the ASM has helped prevent the conversion of over 1.8 million hectares of Amazon forest. Today, over 98% of soy grown in the Amazon biome is compliant, meaning soy is now responsible for just 0.2% of direct deforestation in the region.

If the Moratorium were to collapse it would undermine the efforts of global supply chain actors – farmers, soy traders, feed producers and food companies - committed to supporting sustainable production of soy and remove long standing supply chain controls.

It would also harm Brazil’s international standing as a sustainable producer just as it prepares to host COP30.

It doesn't prevent future soy production: 1.7m hectares of land on existing soy properties cleared prior to 2008 could be used for expanded soy production without encroaching on protected forests and risking  further deforestation.

The UK Soy Manifesto is calling on all parties to maintain and strengthen the Moratorium as a vital safeguard for the Amazon rainforest and the global climate.

The full statement from the UK Soy Manifesto can be found at the below link

https://www.uksoymanifesto.uk

Vegan and Soya-Free: Plant-Based Options for Those with a Soya Allergy

Following a vegan diet is already a thoughtful and mindful lifestyle choice, but navigating it with a soya allergy can make things more complicated. 

Soya is a staple in many vegan products—from tofu and tempeh to soya milk and protein powders. 

However, being vegan and soya-free is entirely possible—with a little extra planning and ingredient awareness.

In this post, we’ll explore vegan-friendly foods that are naturally soya-free, common pitfalls to avoid, and some delicious alternatives you can incorporate into your plant-based diet.

Why Is Soya So Common in Vegan Food?

Soya is high in protein, versatile, and widely available, which is why it’s often used as a meat and dairy substitute. You’ll find it in:

Tofu and tempeh

Soya milk, yoghurt, and cheese

Vegan meat alternatives (like mince or burgers)

Protein bars and powders

Some processed snacks and baked goods

For those with a soya allergy or sensitivity, this can feel limiting—but don’t worry, there are plenty of other nutritious, satisfying options.

Soya-Free Vegan Protein Sources

Protein is often the biggest concern, but there are several excellent soya-free sources of plant protein:

Legumes (other than soya)

Lentils (red, green, brown)

Chickpeas

Black beans

Kidney beans

Butter beans

These are perfect for curries, soups, stews, burgers, and salads.

Nuts and Seeds

Almonds, cashews, walnuts

Pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, chia, flaxseed

Great in baking, smoothies, and snacks—or for making your own plant-based milk.

Vegetables

While lower in protein, some vegetables like spinach, peas, broccoli, and sweetcorn offer small boosts to your intake.

Whole Grains

Quinoa (a complete protein)

Oats

Brown rice

Buckwheat

Amaranth

Pairing grains with beans or lentils can help round out your amino acid profile.

Mushrooms

Varieties like portobello, oyster, and shiitake are rich in flavour and make great meat alternatives.

Soya-Free Vegan Dairy Alternatives

Thankfully, the market has expanded to include plenty of non-soya dairy substitutes:

Milk Alternatives

Oat milk (UK favourite! We have some in our fridge)

Almond milk

Coconut milk

Rice milk

Hemp milk

Cashew milk

Always check for added vitamins and calcium.

Cheese & Yoghurt Alternatives

Look for coconut-based or nut-based products (like those from brands such as Violife, Koko, or Nush).

Watch Out For Hidden Soya

Even with whole foods, it’s worth reading labels carefully. Soya can crop up in:

“Natural flavours” or “lecithin” (check if it’s soya lecithin)

Bread and bakery products

Vegan convenience meals

Chocolate and snacks

Many UK brands now label major allergens clearly, so look for “contains soya” or “soya-free” statements.

Soya-Free Vegan Meat Alternatives

If you miss the convenience of vegan meats, look for these soya-free options:

Seitan: Made from wheat gluten (avoid if coeliac or gluten-sensitive)

Jackfruit: Ideal for pulled “pork” or taco-style fillings

Mushroom-based products: Some brands use fungi as the base for burger patties or sausages

Pea protein: Some vegan meats are now made from yellow pea protein instead of soya

Brands like THIS™, Future Farm, and Heck (check labels) offer options in UK supermarkets.

Meal Ideas for Soya-Free Vegans

Here are a few simple, satisfying meals to try:

Chickpea & spinach curry with coconut milk

Lentil shepherd’s pie topped with mashed potato

Stuffed sweet potatoes with black beans and avocado

Oat and nut energy balls for on-the-go snacking

Grilled portobello burgers with vegan mayo and salad

Quinoa salad with roasted vegetables and tahini dressing

Final Thoughts

Living soya-free and vegan may feel like a niche path, but it’s a completely achievable and nutritious lifestyle. By focusing on whole foods, checking labels, and experimenting with new ingredients, you can build a varied and satisfying menu without soya.

With growing awareness of allergies and dietary needs, many UK brands and eateries are expanding their allergen-friendly vegan offerings—so expect even more soya-free options in the near future.

Are you following a soya-free vegan diet? Share your favourite meals or product recommendations in the comments—we’d love to hear what’s working for you!