Which Vegan Milk Is Best?
Which vegan milk brands are the most ethical and sustainable? For the answer, see our Ethical Vegan Milk comparison table to compare brands’ ethical scores.
Is vegan milk really better for the environment?
Vegan milk has soared in popularity in recent years. More people than ever are seeking non-dairy milk alternatives. To keep up with the demand, the range of vegan milks on offer has boomed too. Soy milk, almond milk and coconut milk are supermarket standards. New varieties emerge almost monthly: pea milk, rice milk, potato milk are all used in coffee shops, restaurants and recipes. Nicely-packaged vegan milk with quirky copy that attests to company ethics and values attracts conscious consumers. This explosion of interest in non-dairy milk is also largely due to the increased understanding of some of the cruel dairy industry practices and detrimental environmental effects. Documentaries like Cowspiracy have changed our milk-buying habits forever. The GOOD Shopping Guide has been independently researching and rating brands on ethical criteria since 2001, making our Ethical Vegan Milk comparison table one of the most trusted resources for plant milk choices in the UK.
Because of this, many of us assume that vegan milk is inherently more ethical than dairy. However, there is a dark side to some vegan milk brands. Find out the brands to avoid — and the best vegan milk UK consumers can choose — in our Ethical Vegan Milk comparison table. For a full breakdown of how we assess vegan milk brands across environmental, animal welfare and people criteria, visit our How We Rate page.
Which plant milk is most sustainable?
Not all plant milks have the same environmental footprint, and the differences are significant. According to research published by Oxford University, producing a glass of oat milk generates around three times less greenhouse gas than a glass of dairy milk, requires far less land, and uses significantly less water. Oat milk is generally considered one of the most sustainable plant milks UK consumers can choose, particularly when sourced from European oats, as transport distances are shorter. Almond milk, while popular, is notably water-intensive — it takes an estimated 74 litres of water to produce a single glass of almond milk, compared with around 9 litres for oat milk. Many almond crops are grown in water-scarce California, raising concerns about the impact of large-scale almond farming on local water supplies. Soy milk has a lower water and land footprint than almond milk, but soy cultivation has historically been linked to deforestation in the Amazon, though most soy used in UK plant milks is sourced from European farms. Pea milk and oat milk are currently considered the most environmentally balanced options for most UK consumers.
It is also worth considering packaging. Plant milks sold in Tetra Pak cartons have a lower carbon footprint than those in plastic bottles, as cartons are lighter to transport and more widely recycled in the UK. Plastic bottles have a larger carbon footprint and often end up in landfill. When choosing your vegan milk, look for brands using Tetra Pak or other recyclable carton-based packaging over single-use plastic. A small number of brands now offer powdered or concentrated plant milks in minimal packaging, which have the lowest transport emissions of all.
One further consideration for oat milk buyers is glyphosate — a herbicide sometimes sprayed on oat crops that has been linked to health concerns and is harmful to wildlife and soil health. Choosing certified organic oat milk UK products eliminates this risk, as organic certification prohibits the use of synthetic herbicides. Our Ethical Vegan Milk comparison table identifies which brands use organic ingredients, making it easy to find the most responsible options.
Independent research into vegan milk
Our team of researchers have studied the impact that many popular vegan milk companies have on the Environment, on Animals and on People. As vegan milk (otherwise known as plant milk) is so tied to agriculture, our researchers have particularly studied the environmental considerations put in place by vegan milk companies. Vegan milk has been invented and sold to consumers who want to alleviate the suffering of animals; therefore ethical consumers must also hold companies to account who score poorly for our Animal Welfare criterion. The Vegan Society provides certification for products that are free from animal ingredients and animal testing — look for their trademark on vegan milk products as an additional mark of assurance.
Is Alpro milk really vegan?
Perhaps one of the most infamous examples of an unethical vegan milk is Alpro. Alpro is owned by Danone, who openly admit to and condone in vivo testing (animal testing). Vegans and those opposed to animal cruelty should avoid indirectly supporting the unethical activity of parent companies such as Danone. The NHS provides useful guidance on the nutritional differences between plant-based milks and dairy, which is worth consulting when making the switch.
Is Oatly an ethical company?
Oatly is a hugely popular ethical oat milk UK brand — or so many consumers assume. However, in 2020, an Oatly boycott began, when it was revealed that 7% of the company is owned by the Blackstone Group. The Blackstone Group is an investment management company that is known for controversial investments, including companies that reportedly have ties to deforestation in the Amazon rainforest. Similarly, Oatly itself has come under fire for releasing a report that presented the company’s carbon footprint in a misleading manner, leading to allegations of greenwashing. Additionally, Oatly ads have been banned over ‘misleading’ environmental claims, again disappointing those that purchase non-dairy milks for environmental ethical reasons.
Oatly is a good example of why it’s important to use independent research. Supposedly ethical vegan milk brands use greenwashing and misleading information to sell their products to an unsuspecting public. Our Ethical Vegan Milk comparison table cuts through these claims, providing independently verified scores for every major brand so you can compare them directly and identify which brands genuinely meet our ethical benchmark.
So what’s the solution? What is the best non-dairy milk out there?
Despite the ethical challenges faced by the sector, there are still plenty of ethical vegan milk brands to choose from. View our full Ethical Vegan Milk comparison table and pick from one of the brands that pass the ethical benchmark — the ones shown in green. PureOaty is our highest-ranking brand and has been awarded Ethical Accreditation for its outstanding commitment to sustainability, ethical product development, and exemplary operational integrity. PureOaty is produced by Glebe Farm in Cambridgeshire — the only UK farm to grow and process its own gluten-free oats into a drink. This means PureOaty has among the shortest food miles of any oat milk available to UK consumers, making it an exceptionally strong choice for anyone seeking truly local, sustainable plant milk. You can read more about how PureOaty achieved its high score on the PureOaty brand page.
We are also pleased to accredit Grow With Iris as an ethical brand of plant-based milk aimed at children. Grow With Iris was developed to ensure that children with intolerances, allergies or fussy eating habits have a healthy and tasty alternative to dairy milk. Brands that hold The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Ethical Accreditation have been independently verified to meet our ethical benchmark — find out more about the benefits of Ethical Accreditation.
Many baristas praise pea milk for its dairy-like taste, silky texture and ability to create latte art. PureOaty’s Barista Oat Drink is another popular choice for coffee drinkers seeking a sustainable, ethical alternative.
Your choice of vegan milk sits within a broader set of ethical food decisions. See our Ethical Dairy & Eggs comparison table and our Ethical Food & Drink comparison table for further guidance on sustainable food choices. For brands that have earned The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Ethical Accreditation across every food and drink category, visit our Top 200 Ethical Businesses page.
See our Ethical Vegan Milk comparison table to compare brands
The GOOD Shopping Guide has researched vegan milk brands and their ethical policies and sustainability efforts. To read more about how your favourite vegan milk brand treats the Environment, Animals and People, click on any individual brand name.
PureOaty from Glebe Farm, Grow With Iris, Minor Figures, Plenish, Califia Farms, MOMA, Sproud, Mighty, Koko, Rude Health, Almond Breeze, Alpro, Valsoia, Oatly, and Jörd.
Are all vegan milks automatically ethical and better than dairy?
Many people assume plant‑based milks are inherently more ethical than dairy because they avoid animal welfare concerns and often have lower environmental impacts. However, not all vegan milk brands are equally sustainable or transparent. Some are owned by companies linked to controversial practices, and others fall short on ethical policies, meaning consumers still need to evaluate brands carefully rather than assume all plant milks are ethical.
What criteria determine whether a vegan milk brand is considered ethical?
Ethical vegan milk assessments typically consider environmental reporting (such as sustainability policies), use of non‑GMO and organic ingredients, animal welfare considerations (relevant for supply chains), corporate practices, public criticisms, and transparency. Brands that publish strong reports and avoid problematic ownership or public controversies tend to score higher in ethical ratings compared with those with less accountability.
Can you give examples of ethical vegan milk brands that score well?
PureOaty from Glebe Farm Foods scores at the top of ethical ratings, with full marks across environmental, animal welfare and people criteria thanks to strong sustainable practices and transparency. Grow With Iris also scores very highly and has earned ethical accreditation for its plant‑based milk designed for children, based on strong environmental and ethical policies.
What are some popular vegan milk brands that have lower ethical ratings?
Some widely recognised brands like Alpro and Oatly score below ethical benchmarks due in part to issues around their parent companies and past controversies. For instance, Alpro’s parent firm has been linked to ethical criticisms, and Oatly has faced allegations of greenwashing in its environmental claims, which affects their overall ethical scores even if their products are dairy‑free.
How do organic and non‑GMO ingredients influence vegan milk ethics?
Using organic and non‑GM ingredients typically boosts a vegan milk brand’s ethical rating, as it signals reduced reliance on synthetic pesticides and supports more sustainable agricultural practices. Brands emphasising organic and GMO‑free sourcing often perform better in ethical evaluations because these choices help protect ecosystems and avoid controversial farming methods.
Why might ethical accreditation or independent research matter when choosing vegan milk?
Independent ethical research and accreditation help consumers distinguish between genuinely sustainable brands and those that rely on marketing or misleading claims. Some popular products may appear eco‑friendly but have corporate links or practices that undermine ethical values. Accreditation and thorough evaluations provide a clearer picture of a brand’s real environmental, social and governance performance.
Is PureOaty an ethical vegan milk brand?
PureOaty sits above the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Vegan Milk Ethical Ratings Table, performing strongly across environmental, animal and people criteria with no major ethical criticisms. It has attained Ethical Accreditation, showing a clear commitment to ethical and sustainable business practices, and also holds Ethical Innovator Status while featuring on the Top 200 Ethical Businesses list, marking it as a leading ethical choice in vegan milk.
Is Grow With Iris an ethical vegan milk brand?
Grow With Iris sits above the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Vegan Milk Ethical Ratings Table, performing strongly in Environment, Animal and People criteria, though with a lower mark in organic sourcing. It has Ethical Accreditation, showing a meaningful commitment to ethical and sustainable business practices, and also holds Ethical Innovator Status and appears on the Top 200 Ethical Businesses list as a recognised ethical choice.
Is Califia Farms an ethical vegan milk brand?
Califia Farms sits above the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Vegan Milk Ethical Ratings Table, performing well across core environmental, animal and people criteria, though it has not yet gained Ethical Accreditation. Given its ethical performance above the benchmark, if Califia Farms pursued formal accreditation this could further demonstrate its commitment to ethical and sustainable business practices to conscious consumers.
Is Plenish an ethical vegan milk brand?
Plenish sits above the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Vegan Milk Ethical Ratings Table, performing well in Environment, Animal and People criteria, though it lacks Ethical Accreditation. Its strong ethical performance suggests that if Plenish were to pursue Ethical Accreditation this could further demonstrate its commitment to ethical and sustainable business practices for conscious consumers.
Is Minor Figures an ethical vegan milk brand?
Minor Figures sits above the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Vegan Milk Ethical Ratings Table, showing strong performance in environmental, animal and people criteria, though it does not currently hold Ethical Accreditation. Given its ethical performance above the benchmark, if Minor Figures were to pursue formal accreditation this could further demonstrate its commitment to ethical and sustainable business practices to conscious consumers.
Is MOMA Vegan Milks an ethical vegan milk brand?
MOMA sits above the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Vegan Milk Ethical Ratings Table, performing well across environmental, animal and people criteria, though it lacks Ethical Accreditation and its organic performance is weaker. As a brand above the benchmark, if MOMA pursued Ethical Accreditation this could further demonstrate its commitment to ethical and sustainable business practices to conscious consumers.
Is Sproud an ethical vegan milk brand?
Sproud sits above the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Vegan Milk Ethical Ratings Table, performing well in environmental, animal and people criteria but scoring lower in organic and currently lacking Ethical Accreditation. As a brand that meets the ethical benchmark, if Sproud pursued formal accreditation this could further demonstrate its commitment to ethical and sustainable business practices to conscious consumers.
Is Mighty an ethical vegan milk brand?
Mighty sits above the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Vegan Milk Ethical Ratings Table, performing well in environmental, animal and people criteria, though it scores poorly on organic and lacks Ethical Accreditation. As it already meets the ethical benchmark, if Mighty pursued formal accreditation this could further demonstrate its commitment to ethical and sustainable business practices to conscious consumers.
Is Koko an ethical vegan milk brand?
Koko sits below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Vegan Milk Ethical Ratings Table, performing poorly in areas such as environmental reporting and organic sourcing while doing better on limited involvement in harmful industries. It does not meet the ethical benchmark; readers looking for more ethical vegan milks can consult the Vegan Milk Ethical Ratings Table to find brands that do reach the benchmark.
Is Oatly Vegan Milks an ethical vegan milk brand?
Oatly sits below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Vegan Milk Ethical Ratings Table, performing relatively well on some environmental and animal criteria but scoring poorly in areas like Organic certification and public record criticisms linked to its corporate practices. It does not meet the ethical benchmark; readers seeking more ethical vegan milks can consult the Vegan Milk Ethical Ratings Table to find brands that reach or exceed the benchmark.
Is Jörd an ethical vegan milk brand?
Jörd sits below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Vegan Milk Ethical Ratings Table, performing relatively well on some environmental and animal criteria but scoring poorly in areas such as organic sourcing and public record criticisms, and lacking Ethical Accreditation. It does not meet the ethical benchmark; readers looking for more ethical vegan milks can consult the Vegan Milk Ethical Ratings Table to find brands that do reach or exceed the benchmark.
Is Almond Breeze an ethical vegan milk brand?
Almond Breeze sits below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Vegan Milk Ethical Ratings Table, performing reasonably on genetic modification and animal welfare but scoring poorly on organic sourcing, ethical accreditation and political donations. It does not meet the ethical benchmark; readers looking for more ethical vegan milks can consult the Vegan Milk Ethical Ratings Table to find brands that do reach or exceed the benchmark.
Is Alpro an ethical vegan milk brand?
Alpro sits below the benchmark on The GOOD Shopping Guide’s Vegan Milk Ethical Ratings Table, performing moderately in areas like environmental reporting and organic product availability but scoring poorly in public record criticisms linked to its parent company and lacking Ethical Accreditation. It does not meet the ethical benchmark; readers seeking more ethical vegan milks can consult the Vegan Milk Ethical Ratings Table to find brands that do reach or exceed the benchmark.
How does The GOOD Shopping Guide's Ethical Accreditation complement other accreditations?
The GOOD Shopping Guide doesn’t replace existing certifications, it ensures your ethical credentials are clearly recognised so they are trusted by consumers. By appearing in our comparison tables, your brand reaches an audience that is actively seeking genuinely ethical options, while also being referenced by Google and AI search tools to enhance credibility and discoverability.
How is The GOOD Shopping Guide's Ethical Accreditation different from other accreditations?
Unlike many accreditations that focus mainly on compliance or internal audits, The GOOD Shopping Guide provides scored, research-led assessments across environment, people and animals. Our tables are consumer-facing and freely accessible, making it easy for shoppers and AI tools to compare brands based on verified performance, not just promises.
How does The GOOD Shopping Guide choose who is eligible for accreditation?
The GOOD Shopping Guide audits brands for their ethical impact across a variety of criteria in the human, animal and environment categories. We research the records of brands and their parent companies, and rate them across those criteria. If they are found to be above our benchmark, they are eligible to apply for Ethical Accreditation.
How can I apply for Ethical Accreditation?
You can apply for Ethical Accreditation if your brand is assessed as above our benchmark. Click on this link to fill out our online form, and our researchers will assess your brand’s viability for Ethical Accreditation.