Plant-Powered Babies: Formula for Ziggy and Friends

Target: NHS England and UK Formula Companies

Our Story

Our son, Ziggy, was breastfed until Ashleigh’s supply sadly dried up. Despite trying medication and visiting expert practitioners, we were unable to restore her milk supply. We now rely on buying extremely expensive formula from abroad and travel over two hours each week to collect donated milk from a kind vegan mother. Parents and caregivers all over the country are heartbroken and worried that the soy formula has now run out, leaving us with no viable options.

As dedicated vegan parents, we believe it is crucial for the NHS and UK formula companies to provide viable vegan formula options for infants, especially in situations where breastfeeding is not possible. Currently, there are no vegan or soy-based formulas available since SMA discontinued their soy-based formula. The only alternative offered by doctors is lactose-free formula, which still originates from cows exploited in the dairy industry. This campaign seeks to address this gap and advocate for the inclusion of vegan formula options within the NHS and by UK formula companies.

The Problem

The absence of vegan formula options forces vegan parents to compromise their ethical beliefs or seek expensive and often hard-to-find alternatives. The dairy industry, which underpins traditional formula options, is fraught with inhumane practices and environmental concerns:

 1. Cruelty to Animals: Cows in the dairy industry are often subjected to a cycle of exploitation that includes forced impregnation, separation from their calves shortly after birth, and premature slaughter once their milk production declines.

 2. Health Concerns: Many parents choose veganism for health reasons. Dairy consumption has been linked to various health issues, and lactose-free formulas, while addressing lactose intolerance, still involve cow’s milk and its associated risks.

 3. Environmental Impact: The dairy industry is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, and water pollution. Supporting dairy-free alternatives aligns with broader environmental sustainability goals.

Our Right as Vegans

As vegans, we feel it is our right to have access to infant formula options that align with our ethical and dietary choices. The NHS and UK formula companies currently cater to various dietary needs and preferences, including options for those with allergies and intolerances. It is only fair that vegan families are granted the same consideration.

Our Request

We call on the NHS and UK formula companies to:

 1. Introduce a Viable Vegan Formula: Provide a nutritionally complete and safe vegan formula option that meets the needs of infants unable to breastfeed.

 2. Reintroduce Soy-Based Formulas: Bring back soy-based formulas or develop new plant-based alternatives to offer a broader range of options for vegan families.

How You Can Help

Sign and share this petition to show your support for vegan families and ethical consumer choices. Together, we can urge the NHS and UK formula companies to take action and ensure that all parents, regardless of their dietary preferences, have access to appropriate infant formula options.

Please also write to the UK suppliers of formula and request they start supplying plant based formula  

Conclusion

Ashleigh and Calvin, along with countless other vegan parents, are counting on your support to make this vital change. By providing vegan formula options, the NHS and UK formula companies can demonstrate their commitment to inclusivity, animal welfare, and environmental sustainability. Join us in advocating for a compassionate and ethical choice for our children’s nutrition.

Thank you for your support in making vegan formula options a reality for all families.

 

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