Organic milk - a health conscious alternative
than previously predicted. The findings show that organic milk has
higher Omega fatty acid content than conventional milk. Organic
farmers are calling for official recognition.
The study published by the Aberystwyth-based Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research revealed that organic milk has higher levels of Omega essential acids than the conventional type.
Tests carried out on samples at the research centre indicated that organic milk contains two-thirds more omega 3 essential fatty acids than conventional milk.
Omega acid fats help consumers to maintain a healthy heart and can combat the effects of arthritis and aid the development of healthy brains in unborn children. However, research has indicated that many consumers are deficient in fatty acids. In Britain for example, most people lack the substance in their diets.
Some organic farmers are now calling for an official recognition from the Food Standards Agency to recognise the health benefits of organic milk. In the past the FSA has refused to identify the health benefits of organic milk. Leading co-operative organic farmers believe the findings could change the FSA's and consumer's approach to the drink.
The increase in health conscious consumers has sparked a renaissance in health and functional foods across the dairy sector. It is possible that if the FSA was to officially recognise organic milk as being a healthy alternative to regular milk, the sales of the drink could increase.
The organic milk market has seen steady growth in recent years. It is estimated that the market is growing by more that 30 per cent each year.
