Why Dairy?
Dairy for you and your family
From the goodness of milk to the richness and variety of cheese and yogurt, the Irish dairy industry can play an important role in meeting the nutritional needs of you and your family. The National Dairy Council website is a resource dedicated to giving you the best-available dietary advice as you make informed choices. We have always believed that good advice is advice founded on scientific research and understanding. In the 1970s, when concerns about healthy eating were in their infancy, we were the first food agency in Ireland to employ a full-time nutritionist. A generation later, our commitment is undimmed. Here you'll find the latest science-backed information on the role dairy and dairy nutrients play as part of a healthy balanced diet, thereby assisting you in managing the nutritional needs of you and your family.
Why Dairy?
It's part of who we are
Milk has been part of the Irish diet from the earliest time. Cheese, curds, whey, butter and, of course, milk have nourished countless generations, so much so that the 'wandering cow' was the symbol of Ireland in its native poetry. Today, dairying is a thriving sector in Irish agriculture. Most dairy cattle in Ireland are Holstein-Friesian, a breed Northern European, in origin. Dairy farms are almost exclusively family-run businesses and there are estimated to be 30,000 dairy farms operating in Ireland today.
Delicious, nutritious and varied
Dairy foods include milk and a vast array of products made from milk. A visit to the chilled cabinet of your local supermarket gives a sense of the sheer variety of products and the contribution they make to our everyday diet. Dairy products are naturally delicious and a natural source of many essential nutrients such as protein, calcium, iodine and some of the B vitamins. Collectively, the dairy industry contributes a substantial proportion of certain nutrient intakes in the Irish diet. As well as contributing to your immediate nutritional needs, the nutrients in dairy are associated with positive benefits; for example protein, calcium and phosphorous are needed for normal growth and development of bone in children, and calcium and phosphorous contribute to the maintenance of teeth.