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Experts Cite Exciting Future for Dairy Products in Health & Nutrition

'Milk and dairy are nutritious foods which, in right quantities, contribute to good nutrition and consequently support good health,' said Senator Feargal Quinn, speaking at the National Dairy Council conference in Dublin on 15th June, 2010.

The number of people in Ireland aged 65 and over is projected to rise from about 700,000 to 1.89 million by 2041, a staggering increase of 169 per cent. The number of people aged 75 and over will reach almost one million by 2041, three times the number living now. 'The dairy industry, with its calcium and protein content, is in an ideal position to tap into this rapidly growing market,' said Senator Quinn.

Senator Quinn went on to say that the dairy industry is of massive importance to our economy and there is a sense that it is entering a critical time due to the increased competition from new markets and the planned removal of quotas in 2015. 'Ireland must prepare now in order to be in a strong position and to get more of the global market – but I am somewhat critical of those who speak about food and agriculture, without mentioning the consumer,' he said.

'Products such as milk are staples in the food pyramid. The quality of Irish dairy brings people back. But today’s customer is not yesterday’s customer. Still less is yesterday’s customer the customer of tomorrow,' said Senator Quinn. “One of the biggest challenges that face businesses is that of keeping up with your customers as they career along the road to change.”

Senator Quinn said that there are encouraging signs ahead. Analysts say that the medium term outlook for milk price is positive, with most predicting a recovery arising from increased world demand. “Irish fresh produce (and that includes dairy) has massive possibilities for expansion,” said Mr. Quinn. Consumers are increasingly interested in sustainable practices and knowing where their food comes from.

He gave examples of the innovation behind whey or cheese by products in the context of alternative energy; opportunities associated with export markets and the need for increased food production globally, as well as the capacity to tailor products for specific markets and for specific tastes – which means listening to customers.

Click here to read Senator Quinn's speech in full.

Whey protein to combat the effects of old age!

Also speaking at the NDC conference, Professor Patrick Wall from UCD highlighted the role dairy products can play in human nutrition. He described an emerging public health problem;- 'sarcopenia', a condition common in the elderly where people loose muscle mass and become frail and weak. With increasing sedentary lifestyles this condition can progress rapidly and may progress to the extent that an older person may lose his, or her, ability to live independently.

Professor Wall advocated that whey protein, commonly consumed by rugby players and body builders, should be part of the regular diet of the elderly. It’s unique ability to be digested rapidly makes it ideal to reduce the rate of weight loss in the elderly, slow down the aging process and keep senior citizens mobile and active for longer with all the associated health benefits.

Health claims create opportunities

'People can be very vulnerable to health claims made on foods because there are dietary factors involved in some major diseases such as heart disease and stroke,' said Dr Mary Flynn, Chief Specialist in Public Health Nutrition with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland. Speaking at the annual conference of the National Dairy Council in Dublin, Dr. Flynn said that the new EU Regulation on Nutrition and Health Claims (1924/2006) creates many opportunities for the dairy industry to tell consumers about the nutritional quality of dairy foods within a legal framework.

'Research has shown that dairy foods such as milk, yogurt, cheese and fat spreads are among the commonest food categories that bear approved claims,' said Dr. Flynn. She explained that claims are now being permitted which relate to risk reduction, children’s growth and development.

By way of an example of the opportunities around this for dairy, milk is high in protein and an approved claim is that ‘protein is needed for the normal growth and development of bone in children’. Likewise, milk is a source of calcium and an approved claim is that ‘calcium is needed for the normal growth and development of bone in children.’

'The new regulations are harmonised which means that when a food has the right composition to bear an approved claim and the business operator labels it correctly, the food can be legally sold in all 27 member states of the EU with the potential to extend beyond that.' Dr Flynn encouraged small-to-medium food businesses to use the claims as long as they comply with the conditions set and the labelling rules, with guidance available in a booklet for SMEs from the FSAI.

 

For more information contact

Antonina Ni Dhuinn, Progress Communications - 01-276 6117 - info@progresspr.ie

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