Milk for schools: Handle with care
PETALING JAYA – The revival of the milk programme for schools was given the thumbs-up from nutritionists who urge the authorities to ensure the product is handled properly to avoid a repeat of past food poisoning cases.
Malaysia Nutrition Society president Dr Tee E Siong said: “There is nothing wrong with milk per se. The spate of food poisoning cases was not due to milk itself, but rather the handling of the product in the supply chain.”
On the possibility of using other food or beverages, he disagreed with such proposals. “If the issue of proper handling is not resolved, the same problem can still happen.
“Milk is nutritious and of high nutritional value. It would be beneficial for schoolchildren if the programme is resumed. Firstly, it would contribute to nutrient intake, if given in the mid-morning or in the afternoon.
“This would be important for children who go to school without breakfast. Even then, milk can be a nutritious mid-morning snack,” said Dr Tee.
“Secondly, the availability of milk during school hours can help inculcate the milk drinking habit. Milk can be consumed by all ages, not just children. The Malaysian Dietary Guidelines 2010 encouraged the drinking of milk for all ages,” he said.
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Department of Nutrition and Dietetics lecturer Dr Norimah A. Karim, said it is not a Malaysian habit to drink milk, especially among children. “So, many of them are not getting enough calcium.
“Milk is wholesome and full of nutrients. Providing it in schools could help children be better nourished.”
Emphasising the need to ensure proper handling and storage, she said: “Fresh milk needs to be stored carefully or it will turn bad. As long as the handling is good and safety is assured, it should not be a problem.”
However, Universiti Putra Malaysia Department of Nutrition and Dietetics lecturer associate professor Dr Mirnalini Kandiah said it was a bad move.
Because a majority of urban children were well-fed, she said the extra milk would not mean they would be better nourished.
“Maybe if the milk were given to the rural children, especially underweight ones, it will be good. What is important is that we look into their diet as a whole. Increasing the consumption of dairy products might be bad for children who are already well-fed.”
The Malay Mail had reported Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin had instructed the Education Ministry to restore the programme after it was suspended last year, following several cases of food poisoning. The milk for schools programmes was an extension of the Education Ministry’s supplementary food programme introduced in 1983.
It was briefly suspended on May 22, 2007, for investigations on milk contamination after a series of food poisoning among students. It was reinstated on July 16 that year but was suspended again the following August.
It was reported that between Feb 11 and April 16, 2008, the Health Ministry studied the milk supply chain was not satisfied with its safety control system.
Source: Malay Mail
