What do you really know about dairy? It is a question at the heart of Viva!’s powerful new 30-minute documentary, What Do You Really Know About Dairy?, which challenges generations of assumptions about milk, nutrition and the realities of modern dairy farming.
We were delighted to attend a private screening at THIS UK’s headquarters in London last night, for an evening that brought together important conversations about animal welfare, health and the influence of the dairy industry.
Presented by Juliet Gellatley, founder and director of Viva!, the film investigates how dairy became so deeply embedded in our understanding of a healthy diet. Featuring registered dietitian Rosie Martin, alongside haematologist Dr Shireen Kassam and gastroenterologist Dr Alan Desmond, it examines the evidence behind familiar nutritional claims and asks whether dairy really is essential for human health.
The documentary explores the biological reality of milk production: cows must become pregnant and give birth to produce milk. Their calves are typically separated from them within hours of birth, raising difficult questions about the emotional bond between mother and offspring. Female calves may enter the dairy herd, while male calves face different outcomes, including rearing for meat or slaughter.
It also challenges the belief that dairy is necessary for strong bones, examining the science behind calcium, bone health and the nutritional claims repeated through advertising, public campaigns and popular culture. The film encourages viewers to consider how plant-based foods can provide essential nutrients without relying on dairy.
Another important theme is the power of industry marketing. Familiar images of happy cows grazing in green fields have helped shape public perceptions, but the documentary investigates the contrast between these reassuring portrayals and the realities of modern milk production.
The statistics behind the screening
- 30 minutes: The length of Viva!’s investigative documentary.
- 59%: According to Viva!’s pre-film public survey, this proportion of respondents believed cows produce milk simply because they eat grass.
- £19 billion: The annual value attributed to the UK dairy industry in Viva!’s September 2026 press release.
These figures highlight the scale of the industry and the importance of questioning what we think we know about dairy. The 59% finding is particularly striking, revealing how easily fundamental misunderstandings can become accepted as common knowledge.
A huge thank you to THIS UK for hosting last night’s screening and supporting such an important conversation. The evening was made even more special by delicious canapés from Charlotte Roy, chef at Michelin-starred Plates London, alongside Sophie Surgue, MasterChef 2025 runner-up.
Viva!’s documentary is an invitation to look beyond the packaging, question established narratives and make informed choices. Whatever your current diet, it is a conversation worth having.
Watch What Do You Really Know About Dairy? via Viva!’s official website, where the film is available to rent for £2.99 or buy for £5.99. Watch the film via dairyfilm.viva.org.uk