Study warns plant-based milks may cut iodine, calcium and vitamin B2 intake
ITV reported a study suggesting that replacing dairy with plant-based milks can lower intake of iodine, calcium and vitamin B2, especially among teenage girls and women aged 19 to 49.
How it was covered
- ITV was the only channel found covering it, concentrating on the study's nutrient gaps, iodine fortification and consumer advice.
- Channel 5, BBC News, BBC One, BBC Two, Channel 4, GB News and Sky News: not found in tracked broadcasts.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story. Facts only one channel reported are attributed to it.
ITV reported that a study has warned that replacing dairy with plant-based milks such as oat and almond drinks could leave people short of key nutrients. The researchers examined micronutrient intake and found that switching all dairy to alternatives was linked to higher rates of inadequate iodine, calcium and vitamin B2.
According to ITV, iodine inadequacy among teenage girls rose from 54% to 80% when all dairy was replaced, meaning four in five would fall short, up from about half. Inadequate calcium intake in the same group rose from 54% to 70%, or from about half to seven in ten. Among women aged 19 to 49, inadequate vitamin B2 rose from 29% to 50%, from nearly three in ten to half.
ITV said the concern is greatest for iodine, which is needed for neurological development and is already low in many diets. It reported that about half of plant milks seem to be fortified with vitamin B12 and only 12% with iodine, though many are fortified with calcium. The programme noted that much of the iodine in dairy comes from fortified feed given to cows, and that fish and eggs are other sources, although they are also animal products.
The advice from ITV's correspondent Sam Holder was for people on plant-based diets to check labels and choose fortified products. He said anyone concerned should speak to a healthcare professional or consult the NHS or the British Dietetic Association. ITV reported that the scientists also suggested the government should require plant milks to be fortified with iodine.
Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, grouped by how many channels reported each one. Select a dot to see the source excerpt.
| Claim |  |
|---|---|
| Only on one channel | |
| Inadequate calcium intake among teenage girls was reported to have risen from 54% to 70%. | |
| Only 12% of plant milks were reported to be fortified with iodine. | |
| Replacing all dairy with plant-based alternatives was linked to iodine inadequacy among teenage girls rising from 54% to 80%. | |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
ITV1 treated the study as a health warning about plant-based diets, with a studio discussion led by Sam Holder. It focused on the specific micronutrient risks for teenage girls and women, the low rate of iodine fortification in plant milks, and practical advice for consumers. The tone was explanatory and cautious, stressing that people who avoid dairy for allergy, vegan, environmental or ethical reasons should check labels rather than abandon plant milks.
- “plant milk has become mainstream. You see it everywhere now.”
- “only 12% were fortified with iodine”
- “The advice to them is to do the research.”
Broadcast Timeline
News broadcasts tracked for this story, in time order.