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Study Finds Organic Milk Higher in Omega 3 Fatty Acids

England’s Food Standards Agency has repeatedly refused to recognize that any organic food products are healthier than their conventional counterparts.

A three-year study, sponsored by Britain’s Organic Milk Suppliers’ Co-operative (OMSCo), found organic milk contained 68 percent more omega-3 fatty acids on average than conventional milk. The study, conducted independently by the Universities of Liverpool and Glasgow from 2002-2005 and published in the Journal of Dairy Science, involved a cross section of United Kingdom farms over a 12-month production cycle. Omega-3s are believed to reduce risk of heart disease and have been linked to better concentration in children. Fourteen scientists involved in the research have written to England’s Food Standards Agency (FSA) asking the agency to recognize the health benefits of organic milk. The FSA has repeatedly refused to recognize that any organic food products are healthier than their conventional counterparts. “Over the last few years there has been mounting research confirming the higher levels of Omega 3 fatty acids in organic milk. This latest study clearly shows that the higher levels of these essential fatty acids are a result of the whole organic farming system,” said Nicholas Saphir, OMSCo Chairman. “We believe that the consumer should have access to this information through the FSA.” Another study, carried out at the University of Aberdeen in 2004, found organic milk contained on average 71 per cent more omega-3 fatty acids than non-organic. OMSCo sells organic milk under its Altogether Better brand, claiming it is higher in omega-3, as well as vitamins E and A, than non-organic rivals. Organic milk sales have boomed in Britain over the last few years and were 50 per cent higher this July than in the same month last year, according to new figures from the Milk Development Council. The growth adds to a 91 per cent rise in organic milk sales across the UK in the year up to last November. Organic milk, however, still only makes up a very small percentage of the overall liquid milk market.