Dairy is delivering on fat and salt cuts

The Dairy Council responds to NICE report

Responding to the publication of the National Institute of Clinical Excellence and Health’s report on cardiovascular disease, The Dairy Council Director Dr Judith Bryans said: The dairy industry is working very closely and productively with the Food Standards Agency to deliver reductions in saturated fat and salt. These reductions are in line with recommendations which the World Health Organisation see as being important in human health. 

“As an industry, we have always supported public health recommendations and weve been providing good quality low-fat options for a long time. Consumption of skimmed and semi-skimmed milk has been on the rise for more than 30 years. And the move towards lower fat milk has taken another major step forward recently with the launch of new varieties containing less than 1% fat.

“Cheese makers have already removed a substantial amount of salt from their products and are busy developing new brands with lower fat content. It is important for those making recommendations to bear in mind that there is only so much salt that can be removed from food before food safety is affected.

“We’ve been promoting food responsibly, supported by the EU, for years. For example, as an industry, weve promoted low fat milk to school children through the EU School Milk Scheme and we are currently running two EU funded campaigns, Make Mine Milk and Milk in Action, both of which promote low fat milk to different groups of young people.

The dairy industry is committed to helping achieve Governments goals in improving public health and ensuring that consumers can make the informed choices they need to suit their diets.

“As one of the stakeholders who took part in the NICE consultation we are very supportive of measures which improve public health but we surprised that NICE has chosen to release recommendations in areas where Government agencies already have initiatives under way.

The Dairy Council is a non-profit making organisation which provides science-based information on the role of dairy foods as part of a healthy balanced diet and lifestyle. It provides evidence-based information to health professionals, the media, industry and consumers. More information at:  www.milk.co.uk.