People sharing a picnic carton
An unopened 1-litre long-life carton can be packed for a group. Check the storage instructions before departure, particularly if some of it may be left over.
Who is this choice for?
Start with how many people will drink from each carton and whether you can chill it after opening.
Shoppers comparing sugar and fortification
A no-sugars name does not tell you which nutrients have been added. Compare sugars per 100ml and the calcium, iodine and vitamin information on the exact carton.
Groups with allergy considerations
Soya drink is not suitable for someone allergic to soya. Check the current ingredient and allergen information, including any other warnings relevant to the people sharing the picnic.
What should you check?
Decide on the quantity first, then compare storage instructions and the exact formulation rather than relying on a range name.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Carton quantity | Check whether the listing is one 1-litre carton or several separate cartons. Consider how many cartons the group will open. | I want enough to share at this picnic, without confusing a multipack with one oversized carton. |
| Storage | Check that the carton permits ambient storage before opening. Follow its stated refrigeration and use period after opening. | If we might have leftovers, I need a way to keep the opened carton chilled. Waitrose & Partners lists refrigeration after opening for the Alpro long-life cartons; Ocado lists the same requirement for M&S Unsweetened. |
| Sugar and nutrients | Compare sugars per 100ml, then check the exact carton for added calcium, iodine and vitamins. Do not assume an unsweetened or organic version has the same additions as another formulation. | I prefer a no-sugars drink, but I also want to know what is added. Waitrose & Partners lists 0g sugars per 100ml and added calcium, iodine and vitamins for Alpro No Sugars and Essential Unsweetened. |
| Allergens | Read the current soya declaration and any relevant may-contain statements. Check each drink intended for the group. | Everyone sharing the drink must be able to have soya; a dairy-free label does not answer that question. |
Picnic buying mistakes to avoid
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Leaving an opened long-life carton out
Long-life storage instructions apply before opening. The Alpro cartons listed by Waitrose & Partners require refrigeration after opening and use within 5 days; Ocado lists refrigeration and use within 3 days for M&S Unsweetened.
Open a shared carton when people are ready to drink it. If you expect leftovers, arrange chilled storage and follow that carton’s instructions.
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Assuming no sugars means the same fortification
Formulations differ. Waitrose & Partners lists added calcium, iodine and vitamins for Alpro No Sugars, while its displayed Alpro Organic No Sugar information does not list those same additions.
If particular added nutrients matter to your choice, read the ingredient and nutrition panels of the exact version you are buying.
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Confusing a multipack with one large carton
An 8 x 1-litre listing describes eight separate cartons. It may be more drink than a single picnic needs, even though each carton is a shareable size.
Choose the number of cartons according to how many people will drink them and whether you want unopened cartons for another occasion.
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Assuming dairy-free covers every allergy
Soya itself is an allergen. Other ingredient or may-contain information can also differ between products.
Check the current label against each guest’s allergy needs before packing a drink for them.
Soya drink ranges to compare
These ranges offer different formulations; check the particular carton rather than applying one version’s label to the whole range.
Alpro
Its long-life soya range includes Original, No Sugars and Organic No Sugar cartons.
- Waitrose & Partners lists added calcium, iodine and vitamins B2, B12 and D2 for the reviewed Original and No Sugars versions.
- The displayed Organic No Sugar information does not list those same additions. Check the exact pack if fortification affects your choice.
Tesco
Tesco Groceries lists 1-litre long-life own-brand soya drinks in unsweetened and sweetened versions.
- The two versions give shoppers a choice of formulation within the same range.
- Check the selected carton for its ingredients, nutrition, allergens and storage instructions.
Essential Waitrose
Waitrose & Partners lists 1-litre UHT Original and Unsweetened soya drinks.
- The Unsweetened listing gives 0g sugars per 100ml and lists added calcium, iodine and vitamins D, B12 and B2.
- The reviewed listings warn that these drinks are not suitable for children under two years old.
M&S
The M&S Unsweetened 1-litre UHT soya drink is listed by Ocado.
- Ocado gives per-100ml values of 0.4g sugars, 2.8g protein, 120mg calcium and 45µg iodine for this version.
- Its listing says to refrigerate after opening and consume within 3 days; check the pack when planning for leftovers.
Joybuy multipack option
This option is an 8 x 1-litre long-life soya drink pack for shoppers who want separate cartons for sharing or for more than one outing.
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Alpro Soya No Sugars Long Life Drink 8 x 1L
Eight separate 1-litre long-life soya drink cartons provide a multipack rather than one oversized carton. If you plan to open one at a picnic, check its current storage, allergen and fortification information before you go.
Frequently asked questions
Can I take an unopened long-life soya drink to a picnic?
Yes, if that carton’s instructions allow ambient storage before opening. Waitrose & Partners lists this for the reviewed Alpro UHT cartons, but says to refrigerate them after opening and use them within 5 days. Plan chilled storage for leftovers and follow the pack you take.
Is every unsweetened soya drink fortified?
No. Fortification depends on the formulation: the reviewed Alpro No Sugars and Essential Waitrose Unsweetened listings name added nutrients, but the displayed Alpro Organic No Sugar information does not list the same additions. Check the exact carton for calcium, iodine and any vitamins relevant to your choice.
Is soya drink suitable for someone with a soya allergy?
No: a person allergic to soya should not be given a soya drink. Read the current ingredient and allergen information for any alternative intended for that person.
Are these soya drinks suitable for a child under two?
Do not apply an adult picnic choice to a young child. The reviewed Essential Waitrose Original and Unsweetened listings specifically warn that those drinks are not suitable for children under two; check the exact product’s age guidance before serving it.