Milk for Health

The Per Capita Consumption of Milk in Saudi Arabia is Only 160ml a Day, Which is Far Below the International Standards

Sunday, 21 January 2007

RIYADH: Muharram 1 will be celebrated as the annual National Day for Drinking Milk in Saudi Arabia, said Dr. Hamad Al-Mane', Minister of Health, as the Kingdom launched a national health awareness campaign by distributing free of cost six million bottles of milk throughout the country.

Dr. Al-Mane' launched the nationwide drive in Riyadh Saturday to promote consumption of milk among Saudi citizens. Among those who attended the launch ceremony were Dr. Fahad Al-Balghunaim, Minister of Agriculture, officials from ministries of education, health and agriculture and representatives from dairy companies. Muhammad Jan, Chairman of National Dairy Board, Council of Saudi Chambers and Industry was also present.

Dr. Al-Mane' said it is important to promote drinking of fresh milk among Saudis, as the per capita consumption of milk amount to 160ml a day, which is far below the international standards.

"Every 1st of Muharram will be the National Day for Drinking Milk in Saudi Arabia," said Dr. Al-Mane'.

Despite media advertisements during the last few days, people were unaware of the week-long national campaign.

"Why am I given a bottle of free milk?," was the common question motorists asked when they were handed over a bottle of fresh milk at traffic signals in Riyadh.

Salah Hamdan, a teacher, lamented that despite the government efforts to promote milk consumption among people of all ages, particularly the children, residents preferred fizzy drinks.

"Even my children avoid milk. They are taught in the schools about the health benefits of milk but the commercials on television and print media influence their minds," he said.

Free 200ml bottles of milk were distributed at leading traffic signals, schools, ministries, government agencies, airports and to the poor through charity organizations all over the Kingdom.

Volunteers from a number of dairy companies were trained not only to distribute free milk but also to inform the people about an alarming increase of osteoporosis cases in the Kingdom.

"Milk is an essential source of calcium, lack of which causes a dreaded old-age disease called osteoporosis," said Muhammad Shakir, a nutritionist, while giving a presentation at the launch of national drive for milk consumption.

Shakir said the per capita consumption of milk is alarmingly low in the Kingdom.

"A Saudi adult consumes 60 liters of milk per year, which is equivalent to 160-ml a day. The daily recommended for consumption of milk is two to three glasses a day," he said.

Shakir said pregnant women should consume at least four glasses of milk every day. He said due to the lack of calcium intake the incidence of osteoporosis among women in the Kingdom is 67 percent and 40 percent among males.

Drinking of carbonated drinks, which contains chemical substance, is a major cause of health problems. The chemical substance such as phosphoric acid inhibits calcium absorption in the human body, he said.

Muhammad Jan, Chairman of National Dairy Board of the Council of Saudi Chambers of Commerce and Industry, said there are 13 dairy farms in the Kingdom and the total production of fresh milk is 2.7 million a day.

"The Kingdom is self-sufficient to meet dairy needs of its citizens. Even if there is increased demand following the campaign, Saudi farms can supply fresh milk to the market," he said.

He said Education Ministry's persistent drive during the past seven to eight years in schools has been successful in replacing the soft-drink vending machines with fresh milk, laban and fruit juices.

The major focus of the drive is to create awareness about the healthy food among the people, he said. It is unfortunate that the people have made it a point to include soft drinks on dining tables and the same thing is also offered to guests.

"The Saudi tradition is to offer some healthy food such as dates, milk, laban or fruit juices to the guests," he said.

Monther M. Tayeb, an official of a leading dairy farm, which distributed around 474,000 liters of free milk, said his company would be actively taking part in the campaign.

"The year 2007 will be a unique year when a number of promotions are organized."

The major focus will be to fight osteoporosis, a disease mainly caused due to the lack of calcium in bones, he said.

By Shahid Ali Khan