Milk contains either A1 or A2 protein, or a combination of the two, and claims have again arisen that the A1 protein can be harmful to health.

Professor Boyd Swinburn conducted a review in 2004 of the impact of A1 milk for the authority.

After claims in a new book that the potential health risks from drinking A1 milk have been downplayed, the authority said milk was safe, and cited Professor Swinburn's review to support that view.

But Professor Swinburn says more research is needed, and at this point he could not say categorically that A1 milk is safe.

Boost for dairy processor

Meanwhile, a New Zealand producer of milk containing A2 proteins says it has had a huge surge in interest in its product.

Ridge Natural Foods is one of two dairy processors supplying A2 milk.

Managing director John Morgan says its website had 13,000 hits on Thursday, and four supermarkets had approached it about supplying the product.

He predicts sales will jump by as much as 30% in coming months.

 

Source: RadioNewZealand