Milk Gets The Green Light For Schools

UK - Milk will be at the heart of drinks sales in schools when new regulations come into force next week.

5 September 2007

2 minute read

Europe

A Healthier Kind Of Diet

From September 10, new regulations in England will allow the sale of flavoured milk in schools. Semi-skimmed milk is already one of the few drinks recommended for sale in schools and the inclusion of flavoured milk will offer school children greater choice of healthy and nutritious drinks.

The inclusion of flavoured milk follows talks between Dairy UK and the Department for Children, Schools and Families. Now Ministers have agreed to introduce a new flavoured milk category in the milk drinks permitted.

Jim Begg, Director General of Dairy UK, said: “The decision to include flavoured milk as a drink that can be sold in schools is good news all round. Children have taken to these drinks in a big way which is hugely encouraging as they are healthy and nutritious. Furthermore, we’re certain that parents and teachers are happy to see developments which discourage unhealthy fizzy drinks and encourage healthy products.

“Dairy UK has been working very closely with the Government on this issue and we’re delighted that Ministers have taken this decision.”

Dairy UK has also welcomed the decision by The Food Standards Agency (FSA) to allow whole milk to be advertised during children's TV programmes.

There were fears that the advertising of whole milk may have fallen foul of the FSA’s new nutrient profiling system which classifies different foods. However, Dairy UK and the Dairy Council provided comprehensive figures on the composition of whole milk and the FSA has now ruled in its favour.

Jim Begg said: “This is a very sensible decision by the FSA as at one point it looked as though whole milk would not be advertised to children while fizzy drinks could be. We’re pleased that common sense has prevailed although we have still have concerns about a system that stigmatises perfectly good foods such as cheese which are healthy and nutritious as part of a balanced diet.”

Mr Begg also welcomed new research published in the British Journal of Nutrition, which shows that milk may promote better recovery after exercise than both water and isotonic sports drinks.

The research, conducted at Loughborough University and funded by the Milk Development Council, showed that the ability of milk to promote recovery, specifically re-hydration, after exercise was better than the competitor products.

Said Mr Begg: ”All of these things underline the tremendous health and nutrition qualities of dairy products and are very positive developments which demonstrate the important contribution made by our dairy industry.”