Do you have Vitamin A and D deficiency? Here’s a news for you. Nandini, the well-known milk brand of Karnataka Cooperative Milk Producers Federation (KMF) has fortified milk with Vitamin A and D.
This new fortified milk will be suitable for preparing tea/coffee, milkshakes, and other milk products. This comes as a relief for people who are fitness conscious.
Speaking at its launch, Murtyunjaya T Kulkarni, Director of Marketing (KMF), said that the 49 lakh litres of milk distributed across the state currently would be fortified.
Director of Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research, Dr C N Manjunath, who inaugurated the new product, is the one who suggested four years ago to the KMF that the milk be fortified.
The milk is already available in the market with no hike in price due to social concerns, says a KMF official.
Why is it important?
Talking to The Federal, Dr Manjunath said, “Around 50% of the population has Vitamin A and D deficiency which is widely going unnoticed. The prevalent indoor working culture is the main reason for the deficiency”. This deficiency is an emerging major risk factor for people with high blood pressure and diabetes. “The stability of these supplements is very important. I hope this is implemented across the country. Countries like Denmark, Holland, Canada have done it. Why shouldn’t we?” he asks.
How is the milk fortified?
Assistant director for quality and control (KMF) Mr. Nandan said, “According to the given FSSAI standards, an additional liquid vitamin pre-mix is added to the milk. Once the pre-mix is added, it will be then be sent to the lab for testing.” The KMF fortifies 30 lakh litres of milk on a daily basis, he added.
The KMF has collaborated with TATA and National Dairy Development Board for this project.
The newly launched milk will be available in 100 ml, 200 ml and 500 ml fino packs and also in 160 ml, 200 ml, 500 ml, and 1-litre tetra brick packs.