The Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) is encouraging consumers across the world to raise a glass to milk – and other dairy products – on World Milk Day, June 1.
World Milk Day was first launched in 2001 by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), to celebrate and increase public awareness about the nutritional and economic importance of milk and milk products around the globe.
Speaking from his Pembrokeshire dairy farm, FUW vice president Dai Miles said:
“We are calling on everybody to celebrate and drink milk on June 1.
There are so many benefits of including milk and dairy in our lives – nutritionally, economically and environmentally.
“The FUW recognises the importance of milk as a global food and is celebrating World Milk Day to increase public awareness about all aspects of natural milk, such as its natural origin and nutritional value, as well as its economic importance throughout the globe.”
Importance of milk
Milk is the fifth largest provider of energy and the third largest provider of protein and fat for humans.
“Milk and dairy products are nutrient-dense foods supplying energy and significant amounts of protein and micronutrients, which are essential to reduce hunger and malnutrition, particularly amongst the most vulnerable such as pregnant women and children,” said Miles.
In addition to providing children with a variety of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients to keep them healthy, milk helps build and maintain strong bones.
Milk is an important source of healthy nutrients, including: calcium; magnesium; zinc; phosphorus; iodine; iron; potassium; folates; vitamin A; vitamin D; riboflavin; vitamin B12; protein; and fat.
“It’s a food product that’s sustainably produced across Welsh and UK farms and I encourage you to include it in your diet,” he concluded.
