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A1 and A2 milk

Update at 4 February 2009: European Food Safety Authority review available

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has released its detailed review of the available scientific literature that addresses possible health effects of beta-casein (particularly a milk protein called beta-casomorphin-7 (BCM7)) and related peptides in milk and other foods. EFSA states:

“Based on this review, EFSA concluded that a cause and effect relationship is not established between the dietary intake of BCM7, related peptides or their possible protein precursors and non-communicable diseases. Consequently, a formal EFSA risk assessment is not recommended.”

The most common proteins in cow’s milk are beta-casein A1 and beta-casein A2. Milk high in beta-casein A1 is being referred to as ‘A1 milk’ while milk high in beta-casein A2 is being called ‘A2 milk’. Cow’s milk contains six major proteins: four casein proteins make up 80 percent of the milk proteins, the other two are whey proteins.

Milk is important in the diet.

International Review

• EFSA review report

• Terms of Reference for EFSA Review [pdf, 692KB]

• Status of EFSA’s work on A1/A2 milk – Presentation by European Food Safety Authority to New Zealand Minister for Food Safety, Hon Lianne Dalziel. 3 March 2008 [pdf, 172KB]

• Overview of EFSA – Presentation by European Food Safety Authority to New Zealand Minister for Food Safety, Hon Lianne Dalziel. 3 March 2008 [pdf, 202KB]

• A1/A2 Milk: Science Review – Cabinet Paper [pdf, 572KB]

• A1/A2 Milk: Science Review – NZFSA and EFSA correspondence [pdf, 122KB]

Reports

• Beta casein A1 and A2 in milk and human health [pdf, 209KB]. Prepared for NZFSA, July, 2004

• Terms of reference for this report (March 2003)

• Report summary

Media Releases

• European authority to review A1/A2 milk science. Statement from Hon Lianne Dalziel,
Minister of Commerce, Minister for Food Safety. 19 February 2008

• Two reviews planned for A1/A2 milk debate statement from Hon Lianne Dalziel,
Minister of Commerce, Minister for Food Safety. 13 December 2007

• NZFSA announces reviews into A1/A2 milk claims. NZFSA Press release, 10 October 2007

• Author’s interpretation wrong. NZFSA Press release, 8 October 2007

• Food Safety Authority reassures milk drinkers. NZFSA Press release, 24 September 2007

• Milk remains safe. NZFSA Press Release, 13 September 2007

• A1/A2 milk review. NZFSA Press Release 3 August 2004

Resources

Questions and answers on A1 and A2 milk

Related links

Food Safety Risk Management in New Zealand - a review of NZFSA's risk management framework and its application [PDF, 670 KB, 94 pages]

The Government's response to the recommendations made in the Slorach review [PDF,1MB, 22 pages]

This page was last updated on 4 February 2009