Milk may get a new lease of life

Milk in its usual form contains both A1 and A2 β-casein proteins that are genetic variants of the beta-casein milk protein with different chemical structures. Wikipedia states that:

the "A1 β-casein type is the most common type found in cow's milk in Europe (excluding France), the USA, Australia and New Zealand." (Source: http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/efsajournal/pub/231r.htm)

However A2 milk comes from selected dairy cows "whose milk is rich in A2 beta-caseins – but contains no A1 – it is a completely natural, and highly effective, solution to cases of A1 milk protein intolerance." (Source: A2 Milk)

It is thought that the A1 β-casein protein in milk can lead to specific forms of milk intolerance. Symptoms can include abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, diarrhoea and nausea (Source: A2 Milk) 

So, therefore, the A2 branded milk is a form of milk protein that contains β-casein protein formed by Robert Wiseman Dairies and the New Zealand's A2 Corporation. It is thought that this A2 milk will be sold at Budgens, Tesco and Waitrose in the UK. In Australia, FWi states, "A2 milk has taken a 6% value share of the milk market."

The FWi has produced an interesting case study of an A2 milk producer, Andrew Evans in Shropshire, England. 

On the 2nd of October, the BBC News reported that "a genetically-modified cow produced milk without beta-lactoglobulin - a whey protein to which some people are allergic...The instructions for making the beta-lactoglobulin protein are contained in genes in the cow's DNA. The scientists added extra genetic material to disrupt the manufacturing process using a technique called RNA interference. The resulting calf was born without a tail, however, the researchers say that is "unlikely" to be because of the genetic modification. It has not yet become pregnant and produced milk normally so the scientists used hormones to jump-start milk production."

It certainly looks like there will be changes within the dairy industry, especially after the summer of discontent (see this post).