Milk-drinking promoted

The Kenya Dairy Producers’ Association (KPDA) has launched a campaign to sensitise the public on the benefits of consuming processed milk.

KPDA on Friday kicked off a two-day road show in Nairobi and its environs dubbed “only processed and packaged dairy milk is hygienic, safe and healthy,” as part of sensitising residents on the benefits of consuming processed milk and dairy products as opposed to hawked raw milk.

Speaking at the flag off ceremony at The Standard Group Centre, Mombasa Road, KPDA Chairman Dr Kipkirui Arap Lang’at expressed concern on the poor handling and storage of hawked raw milk and said it was exposed to contamination.

“Good health and prevention of diseases is associated with the processing and packaging of milk and dairy products,” he explained.

The Kenya Dairy Board Managing Director, Mr Machira Gichohi, said lack of quality control in ensuring hawked raw milk meets the set standards exposes consumers to potential disease-causing micro-organisms.

Gichohi called on consumers to exercise caution and avoid hawked raw milk that is not properly stored and packaged. “This milk denies one as a consumer their value for money and predisposes one to health risks,” noted Gichohi.

According to the KPDA campaign launch report released earlier this month,  milk is used to give diversification in child development from early childhood.

More affordable

Kenya is reported to have a high per capita consumption of milk of between 80 to 100 kilogrammes. However, according to Principal Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, Prof Fred Sigor, more people can consume dairy products if they are more affordable and accessible.

During the campaign, Nairobi residents and Kenyans at large were encouraged to drink more  milk and use more dairy products as they contain micro-nutrients such as minerals and vitamins that have numerous health benefits.