UK food agency rejects organic milk health claims

LONDON, Sep 20 (Reuters) Britain's Food Standards Agency said that a study has concluded that organic milk does not provide significant health benefits over conventional milk despite higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids.

Organic milk sales have been rising strongly in recent months after studies conducted by several universities concluded yesterday that organic milk was higher in omega-3 fatty acids which are believed to protect against cardiovascular disease.

A group of scientists wrote to the FSA recently asking it to ''recognise that there are differences that exist between organic and non-organic milk.'' ''The new evidence you have provided...does not justify the assertion that organic milk provides health benefits other than those associated with conventionally produced milk,'' FSA chairwoman Deidre Hutton said in a letter to one of the scientists, Kathryn Ellis of the University of Glasgow.

The FSA said organic milk can contain higher levels of ''short-chain'' omega-3 fatty acids but not the ''long-chain'' omega-3 fatty acids which reduce the risk of heart disease and are found in oily fish.

The agency said there was ''very limited'' conversion of short-chain to long-chain omega-3 and organic milk consumed in volumes consistent with a healthy diet would not provide significant health benefits.

''The agency continues to advise that people should eat at least two portions of fish per week, including one of oily fish, which is rich in long-chain omega-3,'' the FSA said.

REUTERS PDM HS0836