Ditch dairy, not iodine!
Switching from cow’s milk to plant-based milk is kinder to animals and better for the planet. But there’s one thing worth checking on the carton – iodine!
Iodine is an essential mineral that helps keep your thyroid healthy and supports growth and development.
A new UK study found that many plant milks contain little iodine unless it has been added. This means people who switch from dairy to unfortified plant milks could miss out, particularly teenage girls and women (Nicol et al., 2026).
But there’s good news! More plant milks now contain added iodine. In 2015, just eight per cent of non-organic plant milks surveyed had iodine added (Bath et al., 2017). By 2020, that had risen to 28 per cent (Nicol et al., 2023) and, by 2024, to almost half – 48 per cent (Nicol et al., 2026).
Organic plant milks are less likely to contain added iodine because of restrictions on fortification, so check the label.
Why is iodine in cow’s milk anyway?
It’s partly because iodine is added to cattle feed and can also enter milk through disinfectants used on cows’ udders and milking equipment. Unlike some countries, the UK doesn’t routinely add iodine to table salt.
Researchers say that adding iodine to all plant milks and using iodised salt in bread could help ensure everyone gets enough, without relying on dairy.
And there are plenty of reasons to ditch dairy!
Dairy farming separates mothers from their calves, often within hours of birth, causing distress to both. Cow’s milk also produces more greenhouse gases and generally uses more land and water than plant milks. There are health reasons to consider cutting down on dairy, too.
So don’t let concerns about iodine put you off plant milk! Simply choose one fortified with iodine, calcium, vitamin B12 and vitamin D. You’ll be helping animals and the planet while looking after your own health.
Find out more about iodine here.
References
- Bath SC, Hill S, Infante HG et al. 2017. Iodine concentration of milk-alternative drinks available in the UK in comparison with cows’ milk. British Journal of Nutrition. 118, 525-532.
- Nicol K, Thomas EL, Nugent AP et al. 2023. Iodine fortification of plant-based dairy and fish alternatives: the effect of substitution on iodine intake based on a market survey in the UK. British Journal of Nutrition. 129 (5) 832-842.
- Nicol K, Nugent AP, Woodside J et al. 2026. Micronutrient fortification of plant-based dairy and seafood alternatives – changes over a five year period. British Journal of Nutrition. 3, 1-7.
About the author
Dr. Justine Butler
Justine joined Viva! in 2005 after graduating from Bristol University with a PhD in molecular biology. After working as a campaigner, then researcher and writer, she is now Viva!’s head of research and her work focuses on animals, the environment and health. Justine’s scientific training helps her research and write both in-depth scientific reports, such as White Lies and the Meat Report, as well as easy-to-read factsheets and myth-busting articles for consumer magazines and updates on the latest research. Justine also recently wrote the Vegan for the Planet guide for Viva!’s Vegan Now campaign.
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