Doctors Demand Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health Panel Update ‘Outdated and Misleading’ Milk Recommendation

Washington, D.C. — Doctors and dietitians from the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, a public health advocacy nonprofit with more than 17,000 doctor members, called on the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation today to update its health panel report, Healthy Beverage Consumption in School-Age Children and Adolescents.

At issue is the panel’s recommendation that children ages 5 to 18 consume as much as 20 fluid ounces of cow’s milk and kids ages 9 to 18 consume as much as 24 fluid ounces of cow’s milk daily and that they be served plant-based milks only as “medically indicated.”

“The panel perpetuates outdated and misleading narratives that ignore the overwhelming scientific evidence supporting plant-based nutrition,” says Stephanie McBurnett, RDN, nutrition educator with Physicians Committee. “Given the well-documented health risks of dairy consumption—including its links to cardiovascular disease, high cholesterol, and inflammation—it is irresponsible and inaccurate to promote dairy over nutrient-rich, heart-healthy plant-based alternatives.”

She adds, “This is especially concerning for children, as early dietary patterns shape lifelong health outcomes. Prioritizing plant-based options can help reduce the risk of chronic diseases and set children up for a healthier future."

A recent narrative review in the International Journal for Disease Reversal and Prevention that compares the nutrient content of dairy and nondairy milks and discusses potential health implications shows that there is no health rationale for recommending cow’s milk over plant-based milks.

The review cites a meta-analysis showing that higher cow’s milk consumption is associated with a greater risk of heart disease mortality. Other research shows that replacing dairy fat with vegetable fats or high-quality carbohydrates, such as whole grains, is associated with a significant reduction in risk of heart disease. Cow’s milk also contains cholesterol, while plant milks do not.

U.S. food and beverage policy and parents should follow the recent recommendations of the Scientific Report of the 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee, not the endorsements of a voluntary consortium. In December, the advisory committee tasked with making scientific recommendations for revising the 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines recommended plain drinking water over cow’s milk as the primary beverage for people to consume.

“Plant milks are nutritionally comparable to cow’s milk,” McBurnett says. “What you don’t get with plant milks are the health risks associated with dairy milk, including increased risk of heart disease and certain cancers.”

Cow’s milk is higher in sugar than most plant milks. Lactose is the dominant carbohydrate in cow’s milk, which is what causes lactose intolerance symptoms. Among plant milks, there is considerable variation in carbohydrates, and the sugars found in plant milks do not typically contribute to digestive symptoms.

Both cow’s milk and soy milk are higher in protein than almond, oat, rice, or coconut milk. However, milk products are not required to meet protein needs. Research shows that consuming soy protein helps reduce LDL “bad” cholesterol and can reduce heart disease risk.

Cow’s milk is high in calcium. However, studies have shown mixed results on the benefits of milk for bone strength. Nondairy milks are typically fortified with calcium, to concentrations similar to those of dairy milk. Green leafy vegetables and other plant products are also good sources of calcium.

Cow’s milk is often fortified with vitamin D. Many plant milks are also fortified with similar amounts of vitamin D. Cow’s milk also contains estrogens and insulin-like growth factor-1, which are linked to certain types of cancer like breast and prostate cancer. Soy milk contains isoflavones, which are associated with reductions in prostate and breast cancer risk, menopausal symptoms, and plasma cholesterol concentrations.

The panel’s recommendation also ignores the needs of a significant portion of the U.S. population, nearly 40% of whom are people of color. Most Hispanic and Black Americans, nearly 100% of Asian and Native Americans, and about 25% of Americans of European descent are lactose intolerant, a condition that causes diarrhea, flatulence, abdominal pain, and bloating, among other symptoms.