Giving schoolchildren milk could be bad for them

This is part of package aimed at improving the health of children.

Viva!Health says this is misguided and outdated and children are better off drinking healthier alternatives such as water, soya milk or fruit juice.

A growing body of scientific evidence links cow’s milk to a large number of childhood illnesses and shows it is not the best source of calcium.

Cow’s milk is linked to childhood allergies, constipation, ear infection, obesity, teenage acne and type 1 diabetes.

And what’s more, there is no evidence cow’s milk is an essential source of calcium, most people in the world (over 70%) don’t consume any dairy at all, they get all their calcium from plant foods.

As the evidence against milk mounts, I can’t help wondering if Michael Gove will eagerly show his children drinking milk on national TV?

For all the health and nutritional low-down on why dairy-free is the way to be, see Why You Don’t Need Dairy, by Juliet Gellatley, founder and director of Viva!

Order your copy for £2.50 plus postage and packaging from www.viva.org.uk/why-you-dont-need-dairy-guide or telephone 0117 9441000 9am-6pm Mon-Fri.

Dr Justine Butler

Senior Health Researcher and Writer, Viva!