Every level of our business is influenced by the ideal we work towards: a Natural Evolution. In our production, in our distribution, and within our own company, the natural choice is our first priority.

Milk is pure nature

Milk is the foundation of all of Arla's products and, in many ways, milk is a unique product. From the hand of nature, milk contains many vital minerals and vitamins we need every day. According to Nutrition Manager Merete Myrup, this makes milk an important basic food.

"To have a good, healthy life you need a varied diet that gives the body the many different nutrients it needs. Milk is unique because it contributes so many different, important nutrients."

Don't forget milk protein

But it is not only the many minerals and vitamins that make milk unique.

"While milk contains many vital vitamins and minerals we need, we mustn't forget that milk is very rich in protein too and very high quality protein at that," says Merete Myrup.

100 grams of milk, irrespective of whether it is whole, semi skimmed or skimmed  contains about 3.5 grams of protein  and there is even more in cheese.

An important source of calcium

Calcium is one of the most important nutrients in milk. Among other things, calcium is necessary to build up and maintain strong bones.

"People who don't drink milk may find it difficult to get enough calcium from other sources and you must have a very good knowledge of nutrition to meet  your  calcium needs without milk," says Merete Myrup. 

Natural lactic acid bacteria aid the body

In addition to having the same beneficial properties as milk, acidified products have the added advantage that they may contain probiotic bacteria.

"You could say that probiotic bacteria support the friendly bacterial flora that are already present in the intestines and consequently help the body to function better," says Merete Myrup.  

The most well known probiotic bacteria are Lactobacillus and Bifida bacteria, both of which are found in Cultura products.

Milk is not enough

Even though milk has an all-round composition of nutrients, drinking milk alone cannot cover all of the body's needs.

"You must remember that milk isn't perfect. Milk contains no fibre, for instance, which is also an important part of a healthy, varied diet," concludes Merete Myrup.

Calcium

• Among other things, calcium is necessary to build up and maintain strong bones. Calcium is also important for developing healthy teeth. Calcium helps to regulate blood pressure and protects intestinal cells. Calcium can also be found in rolled oats, curly kale, almonds, sardines, cheese and spinach.

Protein

• A high protein intake helps to satisfy your appetite. Protein is important for muscle function and regenerating muscles after physical activity. Other good sources of protein include meat, fish and eggs.

Fat

• Fat is necessary for the body's ability to absorb the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K.

Arla conducts research into milk on an ongoing basis. The following six areas are included in Arla's research strategy:

• The composition of milk
• Flavour and functionality
• Food safety
• Consumer preferences
• Process development and control
• Wellbeing

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Organic growth

In Denmark, Arla has been responsible for, and a leading player, in the organic development of the dairy industry since 1986., The first organic products arrived in Sweden somewhat later. Our ambition is  to  continue to be at the forefront of the organic market in the future.

"Arla's organic mission is to be able to offer an attractive range of organic products in order to make organic products available to consumers," says Member Service Organics Manager Gun Olsson.

Today, seven per cent of the milk delivered to Arla is organic. The goal is for 10.5 per cent of this milk to be organic in 2011.

Organic requires space

There must be enough organic farmers to supply the organic milk necessary to reach this goal.

"We have set ourselves an ambitious goal and we therefore do a great deal to inform farmers about organic. We already have many organic farmers and there is still interest among others to convert," says Gun Olsson.  

One challenge in connection with converting to organic production is that it requires space.

"As artificial fertilizer and pesticides are not used on organic farms, the yield per hectare is smaller. Additionally, the animals must be let out to graze in the summer. This means that organic farmers need more fields to keep the same number of cows, and this is a challenge because fields are expensive and can also be difficult to find," says Gun Olsson.

Financial carrot

A period of two years is necessary to convert to organic production. Arla pays its cooperative members  the price of organic milk during the last six months of the conversion period to make it more attractive for them to convert.

"Although the milk cannot be used in organic production during this period,  is sold as ordinary milk, but we pay farmers the higher price for it," says Gun Olsson. 

Organic requirements

Organic farmers  must live up to the Arla quality assurance programme and the requirements for organic farming in the individual countries. Among other things, this means that theyr may not use pesticides or artificial fertilizer on the fields at any time and that the animals must be fed with 100 per cent organic feed.

Arla's organic mission

• We want to be able to offer an attractive range of organic products that modern consumers feel aid health and help to create a better environment for people and animals.

Arla's organic vision

• Farming organically increases the sustainability of nature, which is the foundation stone of our existence. Therefore, we want to be the dairy company in Europe that does most to promote organic farming.

Different countries have different labels to show that products are organic.

What does the Ø label stand for? (Denmark)

• The Ø label is the Danish organic label. The label proves that the Danish authorities have controlled the farms and companies that most recently processed, packed, or labelled the organic food products.

What does the KRAV label stand for? (Sweden)

• KRAV stands for Control Association for Organic Cultivation and is issued by a private organisation authorised to control and accredit organic production by the Swedish state. Products must comply with KRAV's rules to bear the KRAV label.  KRAV's rules for milk production are very similar to EU requirements in this area. Arla is a member of KRAV.
• What does The Soil Association organic symbol stand for? (UK) The Soil Association’s organic symbol is the biggest, most well established organic label in the UK. Products bearing this label areproduced in accordance with the statutory minimum requirements for organic products in the EU. The Soil Association is an independent organisation whose aim is to promote organic farming.

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