NZ milk for lactose-intolerant consumers set to make big impact

Retailers in Britain have given an extremely positive response to a new high-grade milk called A2 from New Zealand targeting lactose-intolerant consumers.

Dairy company Robert Wiseman believes its decision to produce A2, in association with New Zealand’s A2 Corporation, will have a significant impact in the British liquid market when it launches this summer.

This development is also being closely monitored by Bord Bia, whose role in the overseas marketing of Irish milk was upgraded at the Government’s last budget.

Peter Duggan, of Bord Bia’s Strategic Information Services, said: “Dairy markets claim that one in 20 people are clinically lactose-intolerant.

“While, anecdotal evidence suggests this number is far higher, as people who may not be medically diagnosed as being lactose intolerant, are finding their symptoms are improved or completely alleviated by drinking A2 Milk,” he said.

These claims are further strengthened by the 100 scientific studies that support the A2 story. In Australia, this product is retailing at $2.89 per litre, twice the price of standard milk. Apart from the potential health benefits, this price premium also reflects, in some part, the higher costs associated with producing this product, at farmgate and processing.

Most dairy milk today contains two main types of beta-casein protein, A2 and A1. According to the company, their A2 product contains pure dairy milk, completely natural.

It typically comes from Jersey cows, whereas A1 milk usually comes from Friesian cows.

Against this background, Robert Wiseman is collaborating with their milk suppliers on segregating these beta-casein proteins during the milking process, combined with storing this milk separately.