Parents, beware: What you put in your kids’ cereal—or on their plate—could be a matter of life and death. A new study has identified cow’s milk as the leading culprit of food-related fatal allergic reactions in children under 16 in the U.K.

This finding comes from a study published in the British Medical Journal, which examined hospital admissions for food-induced anaphylaxis—a life-threatening allergic reaction—from 1998 to 2018. Over two decades, deaths from peanut or tree nut allergies decreased while fatalities linked to cow’s milk increased, accounting for 26% of food anaphylaxis-related deaths.

Even less severe allergies to cow-based milk and cheese can cause serious, sometimes long-term health issues for children. Cow’s milk is among the most common allergens for children and can lead to gastrointestinal, skin, and respiratory problems. According to a study published by a leading journal in children’s healthcare, a startling 47% of children allergic to cow’s milk have had at least one emergency room visit due to exposure.

Childhood food allergies are among the many other reasons to steer clear of dairy milk and cheese, which have been linked to an increased risk of developing prostate cancer, ovarian cancer, and heart disease.

The Cruelty of the Dairy Industry

The dairy industry tears calves away from their loving mothers often when they’re just a day old—an extremely traumatic experience for these emotional, sensitive animals. Mother cows are often heard frantically crying out for their young for several days after they’ve been separated. Dairy farms exploit female cows like they’re merely milk machines, subjecting them to abusive, grueling milking regimens that often lead to painful udder infections.

Ditch Milk and Cheese Made From Cows—Go Vegan!

Cows produce milk for the same reason that humans do—to nourish their young. They don’t want to endure a lifetime of exploitation in the dairy industry. The best thing you can do for our fellow animals, your health, and the planet is to go vegan. Check out PETA’s ultimate guide to vegan milks and order our free vegan starter kit to make the compassionate switch today: