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NZFSA calls in independent expert

The New Zealand Food Safety Authority has called in an independent expert to undertake a literature review on research surrounding the A1/A2 milk debate.

Former Heart Foundation chief executive Professor Boyd Swinburn has agreed to review all literature on A1 and A2 milk including research examining a possible link between milk protein consumption and heart disease and insulin-dependent diabetes that was released earlier this year.

Professor Swinburn is a lecturer at Deakin University in Melbourne, Australia. "At this stage we believe a responsible step would be to get the research reviewed by an expert. We are pleased Professor Swinburn has agreed to do this for us," Dr Bob Boyd, Principal Advisor, Public Health Medicine at the NZFSA said.

In the latest study, two Auckland researchers compared a selection of data from 20 affluent countries, and based on that questioned a correlation between the amount of A1 Beta-casein and milk protein consumed in a country and the national rate of coronary heart disease. They also questioned a similar correlation between A1 Beta-casein consumption and the rate of childhood type-1 diabetes. "But the research was inconclusive and we have not found any evidence to date that would make us change our position on milk thus far," Dr Bob Boyd said.

"The NZFSA is also asking anyone with any information which has already been made public on this topic to share it with us. This will help in the review of the literature," Dr Bob Boyd said.

In the meantime, the NZFSA stands by its earlier statement that milk is nutritious and beneficial and should remain part of a balanced diet. "New Zealanders can lower the rate of heart disease by quitting smoking, increasing exercise and reducing the proportion of saturated fats in their diet as promoted by the New Zealand Heart Foundation," Dr Bob Boyd said.