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Dairy Products to be added to Chinese Diet
China Consumers Association (CCA) and some 300 experts encourage the Chinese public to add dairy products to their diet in the new century, according to a report from China Environment News.
The suggestion was made in line with CCA's theme for 2001, which features "Green Consumption".
According to nutritionists, 0.5 litres of milk can provide 50 percent of the animal protein and calcium needed by an individual per day.
Meanwhile, milk consumption is also a critical factor for the World Health Organization (WHO) in evaluating a country's living standards.
However, milk is not traditionally part of the Chinese diet and occupies only a marginal segment of grocery items.
The annual per capita milk consumption in China now is only 6.4 kilogram, much less than the 105 kg world average and the 300 kg level in some developed nations.
Scientific surveys indicate that there are no differences in terms of growth between Chinese and foreign babies less than 12 months. But the growth rate of Chinese children is considerably slower after one year and is even slower during puberty, compared to their foreign counterparts.
Scientists attribute the growth differences to lesser milk consumption by Chinese children. They also warn people about the risks of concomitant rachitis, calcium shortage and osteoporosis. Milk products are recommended by the CCA as a solution to these problems.
The CAS Green Consumption activities promote the use of healthy and environmentally friendly products, to pay attention to garbage processing and to regard one's health as a life priority, according to Cao Tiandian, president of the CCA.
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