Chinese milk consumption low

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Chinese milk consumption low

BIZCHINA

(Xinhua)

2006-08-26

 

A survey by the Ministry of Agriculture shows China's

per capita milk consumption is only 21.7 kilograms, a

fifth of the world average, the People's Daily

reported on Thursday.

 

" Chinese babies up to 12 months old are the same as

Western babies in terms of health, but grow slower

thereafter, especially during adolescence, " the

newspaper quoted the survey as saying.

 

Many Chinese considered milk a kind of breast-feeding

supplement for babies, and adults regarded drinking

milk as childish, ignoring its nutritional value, said

the newspaper.

 

Experts have urged the public to " drink milk for a

lifetime " , saying the World Trade Organization

measured a country's living standard by per capita

milk consumption.

 

" Dairy foods, like breast milk, are nutritionally rich

and have various vitamins that can be easily

absorbed, " the newspaper quoted an expert as saying.

 

China's total output of milk was 28.65 million tons in

2005, and it is expected to be the third highest

globally in 2020 with more than 50 million tons or 40

kilograms per capita, according to the Dairy

Association of China.

 

In April, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao wrote when

visiting a dairy farm in the southwestern municipality

of Chongqing, " I have a dream to provide every

Chinese, especially children, sufficient milk each

day. "

 

But China still suffers from imbalanced milk

consumption with urban per-capita consumption at 24.8

kilograms compared with two kilograms in rural areas.

 

The Dairy Association of China is piloting a " free

milk " plan in 8,862 primary and middle schools of 52

cities nationwide, covering more than 1.9 million

students.

 

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/bizchina/2006-08/26/content_674966.htm

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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