The UK government has announced that its upcoming sugar tax will now include plant-based milk and dairy alternatives. This decision has been met with criticism from industry and advocacy groups, who argue that the tax unfairly favors traditional dairy and penalizes alternatives. The Soft Drink Industry Levy, set to come into force on January 1, 2028, aims to address the obesity crisis in the UK.

The government has removed the exemption of milk substitutes with added sugar from the tax, allowing them up to 4.5g of sugar per 100ml. However, dairy milk has also been granted a lactose allowance for its naturally-occurring sugars. The Plant-Based Foods Alliance has expressed disappointment in the decision, citing the environmental and nutritional benefits of plant-based drinks and urging for fairness and clarity in the tax policy.