Organic Irish milk ‘higher levels of antioxidants’ than British equivalent

ORGANIC Irish milk is expected to be proven healthier than both organic and conventional processed imported product, according to as-yet unpublished research by Limerick Institute of Technology.

The research has delivered promising results in terms of Irish organic milk having higher levels of beneficial antioxidants than the sample milks from Britain.

“There are some very promising results, but we can’t say much more than that until the paper is published in two to four months from now,” said LIT lecturer Dr Tracey Larkin.

The organic milk for the study was provided by the Irish Organic Milk Producers (IOMP), led by chairman Pat Mulrooney, a Clonmel-based organic milk farmer, and John Liston, Croom, Co Limerick.

The SABC research was led by Dr Daniel Walsh, supported by Dr Tanya Belataskaya and aided by Prof Benjamin Bradley and Dr Shane O’Connell.

The study tested antioxidants, antimicrobial and immuno-modulatory activity in the milk.

“The studies are looking at Irish organic milk and comparing it to imported milk produced over a 12-week period.

“The research has shown promising results in terms of increased levels of antioxidant in the Irish milk, which is beneficial for your health,” said Dr Larkin.

Last week, a study published by Newcastle University in England stated that organic milk contains 30%-50% less harmful saturated fats than conventional milk. Organic milk also has more beneficial fatty acids, it said. Consumption of organic food in Britain has slumped in the past two years, largely due to the downturn. The Newcastle study, published in the Journal of Dairy Science, sampled 22 brands, 10 of them organic, between 2006 and 2008.

The British study stated: “Switching to organic milk and dairy products provides a natural way to increase our intake of nutritionally desirable fatty acids, vitamins and antioxidants without increasing our intake of less desirable fatty acids.

“By choosing organic milk you can cut saturated fats by 30%-50%.”

Mr Mulrooney welcomed the two studies, particularly the LIT study, which suggests that Ireland’s grass-based dairy sector has the edge over its neighbours in Britain.

He said: “Farmers in Britain have large herds that are very dependent on meals and feed, etc. Our herd is very much grass-based. The Limerick IT research looks very exciting, and I’m looking forward to them announcing more about it.

“The good thing about university research is that it is completely independent of industry.

“Our group of about 20 fully-fledged organic dairy farmers only produces about five million litres of organic milk per annum.

“It is a fledgling business really, but looking at the UK study, there is a great opportunity there for farmers to take charge of,” he added.

Dr Larkin will be among the speakers at the (IOFGA) conference this Sunday in the Tullamore Court Hotel, Co Offaly.