Indian dairy company Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF) will diversify its product offering by concentrating on the development of A2 milk and camel’s milk, according to reports.
GCMMF plans to launch a camel milk product under its Amul brand ‘in the next three months’, after India’s Food Safety and Standards Authority (FSSAI) set new standards for the production of camel’s milk in India. The regulator had taken its time on setting the new standard, with Amul expressing an interest in launching a camel milk product close to two years ago.
“We operationised standards for camel milk today, FSSAI chairman Pawan Agarwal told the Indian press. “We took two years to come out with the standards. The standards will help better marketing of camel milk in cities.”
India’s minister for agriculture, Radha Mohan Singh, said: “After assessing scientifically, camel milk has been recognised with the line of food grade. This will not only benefits rearers of camels but also facilitate for value-addition productions.”
GCMMF will initially launch the camel’s milk in Ahmedabad, in western India, before rolling out to other major cities including Delhi and Mumbai.
The product will be packaged in 500ml bottles, with a production facility in the nearby Kutch district ‘ready’ to start churning out the milk, according to GCMMF marketing manager Hardeep Banga.
Camel’s milk is particularly popular in the Middle East, where it is used to produce yogurt and ice cream or consumed as an alternative to other dairy milks.
Amul will also bring out a line of A2 milks to emulate the success of New Zealand company A2 Milk.
The specific type of milk isolates the A1 beta-casein protein found in milk, which is responsible for lactose intolerance among some consumers.
Earlier this month, FoodBev reported on research that suggested drinking milk with only the A2 strain of protein boosts the concentration of the essential antioxidant glutathione.
Depending on a cow’s genetic make-up, milk traditionally contains either A1 or A2 proteins, or a mix of both. Simple genetic tests can determine whether individual members of the herd are A1/A1 producers, A1/A2 producers, or A2/A2 producers.
Conventional dairies pool their milk during processing, but A2 milk producers rear cattle that fall exclusively into the latter group.
Amul will also extend its focus on honey and frozen sweets as it seeks to deepen its product portfolio and capitalise on its position in the Indian market.
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