| Plant-based drinks are widely consumed as alternatives to animal milks such as cows’ milk. They include drinks made from beans, peas, cereals, nuts and seeds. Oat drinks are currently the most popular plant-based drink in the UK, followed by soya and almond drinks. Around 10% of people in the National Diet and Nutrition Survey 2019 to 2023 reported that they consumed plant-based drinks during the survey period. Cows’ milk is an important contributor to intakes of energy, protein, calcium and other micronutrients, especially in young children aged under 5 years. A number of statutory schemes in England, Wales and Northern Ireland currently include provision of cows’ milk to children under age 5 years, but not plant-based drinks. To inform considerations about plant-based drinks in these schemes, and plant-based drinks consumption more widely, the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) and the Committee on Toxicity (COT) have jointly undertaken a benefit-risk assessment on the health benefits and risks of consuming plant-based drinks. This session covers the findings and recommendations from SACN and COT’s benefit-risk assessment. Join Estella to learn about:
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Instructor
Estella Hung is a public health nutritionist who works at the Office of Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) within the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC).
Her main role is to support the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) and its subgroups and working groups in conducting their risk assessments. She led the technical work on SACN’s ‘Feeding young children aged 1 to 5 years’ and also supported on SACN’s ‘Lower carbohydrates diets for adults with type 2 diabetes’. She obtained her nutrition science degree from King’s College London in 2018.
