PETA has launched a campaign calling on upscale cafe and bakery chain Gail’s to drop its additional charges for plant-based milks. The retailer currently applies a surcharge of 40-60p for hot drinks, when plant milks are requested. 

The animal protection group claims Gail’s is “falling behind industry standards by charging extra for oat and soya, as consumers increasingly choosing plant milk for animals, their health, and the environment”.

“GAIL’s is milking customers who care about animals and the planet by offering a discount on re-useable cups but still charging extra for plant milk,” says PETA vice president of vegan projects Dawn Carr. We’re calling on the company to ditch the up charge and encourage all conscious coffee drinkers to join PETA’s campaign.”

PETA points out that as well as rising consumer demands for plant milks, one in 10 UK adults is also lactose intolerant. It notes that the majority of high-street coffee chains – including Starbucks, Pret, Costa, and Caffè Nero – offer at least one dairy-free milk at no extra charge.