| The demand for organic milk has increased all | | | | fodder-fed cows.There was always a lack of |
| over the world. No, this is not with reference to | | | | evidence that organic food is better than |
| the increased demand for the product that | | | | conventional or non-organic food and all the |
| occurred in 2000-2001. This is about the present - | | | | benefits of organic food over non-organic food |
| 2006.So, why is the demand for organic milk | | | | were strong beliefs of the producers and |
| increasing? The answer lies in the benefits of | | | | consumers in the wellness of organic food |
| organic milk. Consumers are demanding more | | | | production methodologies.However, the research |
| organic milk due to its enhanced health | | | | findings on health benefits of organic milk have |
| benefits.Research conducted at the University of | | | | firmed the beliefs of consumers who are now |
| Aberdeen, and the Institute of Grassland and | | | | demanding more organic milk. Health conscious |
| Environmental Research have shown that organic | | | | people have also shifted to organic milk resulting in |
| milk has more Omega 3 than non-organic milk. So | | | | a shortage of the product.However, the increased |
| consumers can now just replace their regular milk | | | | health benefits of organic milk are not the only |
| with organic milk and do away with those Omega | | | | reasons for this surge in demand. People are also |
| 3 supplements or fish oil capsules.Similarly, | | | | questioning the factory mode production of |
| research conducted at the Danish Institute of | | | | organic dairy products. Many people now believe |
| Agricultural Sciences and the University of | | | | that livestock have good health when they are |
| Newcastle has shown that organic milk is rich in | | | | left in the open. Confined animals are more prone |
| Vitamin A and Vitamin E. Vitamin A is essential for | | | | to diseases and hence the increased chances of |
| a good eye-sight, and Vitamin E protects body | | | | BSE cases.Consumers are also becoming |
| cells from free radicals and delays ageing.Organic | | | | conscious of animal rights and do not wish to be |
| milk also has more Conjugated Linoleic Acidl (CLA) | | | | part of the extensive cruelty imparted to |
| than non-organic milk, as it has become | | | | confined livestock. Since organic milk production |
| mandatory to graze the organic cows on | | | | involves certain aspects of animal welfare, these |
| pastures unless weather forces the farmer to | | | | consumers have shifted to organic milk even if it |
| interfere. Now cows that graze on pastures have | | | | costs more.Kiran Patil is a chemical engineer and |
| higher concentrations of CLAs in their milk than | | | | an expert on organic food and organic farming. |