‘It’s bonkers’ Jeremy Vine wades into row after claims that ‘cheese is racist’

Jeremy Vine: Panel discuss ‘is cheese racist’

During his Channel 5 show today, the broadcaster discussed how hundreds of people had backed a ban on all dairy foods, like cheese and yoghurt, in schools. Alison Plaumer, from the global environmental movement, had argued in a council meeting that large proportions of the BAME communities are lactose intolerant so plant-based meals should only be served.

But Jeremy, joined today by BBC Radio presenter Shay Grewal, herself of Asian descent, and The Telegraph’s Chris Hope, shared his scepticism.

“Extinction Rebellion do lots of things people agree with but then once or twice they do something bonkers, and this is an example,” the host said.

Shay, who hosts different slots across the BBC’s radio network, said: “Oh my goodness me, the idea that you can even imply that people from ethnic minority communities can’t take dairy is… preposterous.

“I absolutely love cheese.

“There are people who are lactose intolerant and those who are not. Cheese is not racist.

“I love it and grew up eating it, and to be honest, I will continue to eat it.”

Jeremy Vine hit out at Extinction Rebellion (Image: Channel 5 / The Jeremy Vine Show)

And Chris, chief political correspondent at Telegraph, said: “It’s not racist, is it?

“It is simply a dietary choice, unless I am getting that completely wrong.”

Daily Express readers shared their anger at the claims, made at a virtual meeting of Brighton and Hove City Council last month.

Writing on Facebook, one reader said: “They eat cheese of their own in countries all over the world so how can it be racist.”

Another posted: “If a child has any allergies whatsoever, the school knows this and takes the appropriate action.”

A third shared: “Nanny state here we come.”

Shay Grewal, a BBC radio host, disagreed with the claim dairy is racist (Image: Channel 5 / The Jeremy Vine Show)

Ms Plaumer had stated: “Arguably, there is a racist element to serving dairy too much because 65 per cent of the world’s population are lactose intolerant, many from the BAME (black, Asian and minority ethnic) community.

“Loads of parents around here give lots of support to this. What do children want? They want action. They want it now.”

Her petition requests two plant-based days are introduced at state-run schools as soon as possible – and for all council-run events to be plant-based once the pandemic is over.

Elaine Hills, a councillor for the Green Party in Brighton and Hove, has been a vegan for 28 years.

She said: “Plant-based food certainly has a much lower carbon footprint than a conventional diet. I agree it is something we should focus on to meet our carbon neutrality goals.

“The Green group has for a long-time campaigned for healthier and more environmentally friendly options being made available to support the health of pupils and the planet.”