Sainsbury’s launches soy and oat drinks for children
Sainsbury’s new range comprises its 1+ Years Soya Drink and 1+ Years Oat Drink. The products are intended for children from their first birthday and contain added calcium, iodine and iron, together with vitamins A, D, B2 and B12.
The soya drink is described as low in sugar. Each 250ml serving provides about 6.5g of protein and 1.1g of fibre. Both drinks have a recommended retail price of £1.70 for a one-litre carton.
Sainsbury’s says the drinks can be included in a healthy, balanced diet from the age of one. It does not present them as the principal replacement for milk for children below two years old.
Demand for children’s plant-based products
A 2022 survey by The Vegan Society found that 66.9% of British parents and guardians of children under 15 wanted more healthy vegan food choices for children. Almost 40% sought products specifically designed for children, while more than 68% said the food industry should do more to develop such options.
Alpro introduced a children’s range in 2025, including plant-based milk and yoghurt. The company said those products contained 30% less sugar than comparable items and were fortified with calcium, vitamin D2, iodine and vitamin B12.
Several studies have examined children’s diets and plant-based food. A peer-reviewed study published in January reported that carefully planned plant-based diets could support children’s growth and cardiovascular health. Research published in June found that children and teenagers were more receptive to meat-free diets than adults, but could find them difficult to maintain without support from their families. A July study reported that children and young people globally were consuming insufficient quantities of nutritious, sustainable plant-based foods, including beans, legumes and other plants.
About 5% of people in the UK, including children, are lactose intolerant. The Vegan Society’s findings and the studies cited above concern wider dietary patterns rather than Sainsbury’s products specifically.
