Gail’s, a UK bakery chain, has dropped its surcharge for soya milk in coffee and tea after PETA campaign, making dairy-free options more accessible to customers.
The UK bakery chain, Gail’s, has announced that it will no longer charge a surcharge for soya milk in its coffee and tea from 21 May. This move comes after a campaign by the animal rights charity, Peta, which argued that the fee ‘unfairly discriminated‘ against customers.
Gail's is a British bakery chain that specializes in freshly baked bread, pastries, and sandwiches.
Founded in 1988 by Colin Batchelor, the company has over 90 locations across the UK.
Gail's offers a wide range of products, including sourdough bread, croissants, cakes, and quiches.
They also offer a selection of specialty items, such as gluten-free and vegan options.
With at least one in three Britons now drinking plant-based milks, Gail’s has taken a step towards making its dairy-free options more accessible to customers. The decision to offer free soya milk with coffee or tea follows the lead of most high street coffee chains, which tend to offer one dairy-free milk alternative for nothing.
However, Peta has also called on Gail’s to drop its additional charge for oat milk. The charity’s vice-president of vegan corporate projects, Dawn Carr, stated that ‘charging more for plant milk leaves a bad taste in customers’ mouths, particularly when it is a choice they make for their health, to be kind to cows, or for the planet.’
PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) is a non-profit organization founded in 1980 by Ingrid Newkirk and Alex Pacheco.
With headquarters in Norfolk, Virginia, PETA has become one of the largest animal rights organizations worldwide.
PETA focuses on exposing 'animal cruelty' and promoting veganism through public awareness campaigns, investigations, and advocacy efforts.
The organization has a significant presence online, with millions of followers across various social media platforms.
The move by Gail’s has been seen as part of a broader trend towards greater inclusivity in dairy-free options. Pret a Manger stopped charging extra for plant-based milks such as oat, almond, soya, and rice-coconut in 2020 after calls from animal rights advocates. Starbucks dropped its vegan milk surcharge in the UK in 2022. Leon and Joe and the Juice do not charge extra for any standard dairy-free milk alternatives.
Dairy-free options have become increasingly popular in recent years, driven by growing concerns about lactose intolerance and dairy allergies.
Plant-based milk alternatives such as almond, soy, and coconut milk are now widely available.
Many food manufacturers also offer dairy-free versions of their products, including cheese and yogurt substitutes made from nuts, seeds, or soy.
According to a 2020 survey, 30% of consumers in the US have reduced their dairy consumption, with 15% identifying as lactose intolerant.
Costa Coffee and Caffè Nero do not charge for soya milk but charge an additional 45p for oat and coconut milk. Peta has renewed its calls for these charges to be dropped, highlighting the need for greater consistency in pricing across the industry.
- theguardian.com | Gail’s to drop soya milk surcharge after campaign by Peta
