Oatly is calling for a plant-based inclusion in schools

1. What is the EU School Scheme?

It is a financial aid given to schools in the EU for them to buy fruit, vegetables, and milk for school children. Read more

2. Why are you starting a petition against the Scheme?

We’re not. We’re petitioning for the Scheme to include plant-based drinks. Read more

3. Why is Oatly doing this right now?

Because the scheme is being reviewed now and the European Commission wants to hear what people think. So… now’s the chance for us all to voice the need for the inclusion of fortified plant-based drinks. Read more

4. Aren’t you doing this just to sell more oat drinks?

Yes. We want to sell more oat drinks to help fix the broken food system. But other brands of plant-based drink are also beneficial in mitigating climate change. Read more

5. Are you sure that plant-based drinks are actually good for kids?

Yep. Fortified plant-based drinks can of course provide minerals and vitamins of importance to children. For example, we fortify our Oatly products with calcium which is needed for the maintenance of normal bones and teeth, as well as vitamin D, vitamin B12, riboflavin. In addition our Oat Drink Original contains unsaturated fats and fibers.* Read more

Source:

*Oatly Original Oat drink contains Vitamin D, Riboflavin, Vitamin B12, Calcium. Calcium is needed for the maintenance of normal bones.

6. But isn't cow’s milk essential for strong bones?

Well… It’s calcium and physical activity that is key, and fortified plant-based drinks usually contain around the same amount of calcium per 100 ml as cow’s milk does. Also, we’re not saying “take cow’s milk away from the EU School Scheme”, we’re saying “give kids the possibility to choose fortified plant-based drinks”! Read more

7. How would giving kids the option of plant-based drinks in schools make a difference?

Our eating habits as children influence what we eat for most of our lives*. So providing children with options can encourage them to eat complete, healthy and more sustainable plant-based diets for the rest of their lives. Read more

Source:

*Lioret S, et al; EDEN Mother–Child Cohort Study Group. Dietary patterns track from infancy to preschool age: cross-sectional and longitudinal perspectives. J Nutr. 2015 Apr;145(4):775-82.

Sørensen LMN, et al. Diet quality of Norwegian children at 3 and 7 years: changes, predictors and longitudinal association with weight. Int J Obes (Lond). 2022 Jan;46(1):10-20.

Mikkilä V, et al. Consistent dietary patterns identified from childhood to adulthood: the cardiovascular risk in Young Finns Study. Br J Nutr. 2005 Jun;93(6):923-31.

Jarman M, Edwards K, Blissett J. Influences on the dietary intakes of preschool children: a systematic scoping review. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act. 2022 Feb 22;19(1):20.

8. Are plant-based drinks sustainable?

In general plant-based products have a lower environmental impact than animal-based products.* Read more

Source:

*Poore, J., & Nemecek, T. (2018). Reducing food’s environmental impacts through producers and consumers. Science, 360(6392), 987-992. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.aaq0216

b) M. A Clark, M. Springmann (2019). Multiple health and environmental impacts of foods. PNAS November 12, 2019 116 (46) 23357-23362; first published October 28, 2019

9. What can I do to help?

Sign the petition. Or give the EU your personal feedback on their website. No need to like and subscribe or leave a comment here, but it would probably help if you shared this with friends and family. Read more