‘1 lakh litre milk wasted per year’

To ensure proper nutrition for all and protect cattle farmers, speakers have called for coordinated efforts to grow a robust milk industry in the country. 

Pointing out that nearly one lakh litres of milk is wasted per year, they said marketing milk using ultra-high temperature (UHT) technology can prevent wastage and help more people get proper nutrients.

Addressing a webinar, they also urged the government to provide loans at simple terms and conditions to make UHT technology popular.

On the eve of World Food Day, The Daily Star yesterday organised the webinar titled "Bridging food system gaps and ensuring access to safe milk in Bangladesh: The role of UHT technology".

Head of Public Relations at Nagad Zahidul Islam moderated the programme.

UHT milk processing technology and Tetra Pak's six-layer aseptic packaging can ensure food safety, hygiene, and preservation for up to six months without refrigeration and preservatives.

Syed Muntasir Redwan -- national coordinator of SUN Business Network, a leading private sector initiative to improve nutrition in emerging markets -- said, "In want of proper preservation knowledge and capacity, about one lakh litres of milk is wasted annually."

"As per WHO recommendations, a person needs to consume 250ml of milk each day to meet nutrition demands," Muntasir added.

"In reality, per capita milk consumption is around 50ml daily," he said.

Eleash Mridha, managing director at PRAN Group, said a huge amount of powdered milk is imported, whereas a good amount of milk is wasted every day due to lack of proper distribution channels.

Underscoring the need to adopt UHT for massive production, he said if the government patronises industrialists, huge amounts of currency will be saved.