NATIONAL MILK DAY 2023

 

National Milk Day is a commemoration of the first bottled milk delivered back in 1878.  Milk was delivered in glass bottles sealed with wax to homes across America.  National Milk Day is observed on 11th January and by no means should be confused for “World Milk Day” which is internationally commemorated on 1st June.

According to research there is no clear indication of who actually started this but it has been observed and celebrated in different ways.  Person are encouraged to utilize milk and milk-based products more on that the day, there were lots of nutritional information disseminated via media platforms, learning institutions and persons were also encourage in making their own homemade cheese, yogurts and other products. United States and Australia are the two leading producers and exporters of milk and its by-products.

FAO has stated that 85% of the world milk production comes primarily from cattle. However, milk is produced for human consumption by other animals such as buffalo, goat, sheep, camel, donkey, horse, reindeer and yak.  Their milk is used to produce edible products such as cream, butter, ice cream, cheese, yogurts and kefir.  Milk is a rich source of vitamin D, Calcium, potassium and many other nutritional values.

Research has also shown that India also commemorates National Milk Day but they observe it on 26th November instead of 11th January.   We discovered that Dr. Verghese Kurien was responsible for the introduction of milk to India (it was referred to as the “white revolution”) and he also made India’s largest self-sustaining industry the dairy farm.  Therefore, as appreciation for his efforts Dr. Verghese Kurien’s birthday is commemorated on November 26th and in India, it was decided in his honor to observe National Milk Day annually from 26th November 2014.

National Milk Day, although commemorated on different dates raises awareness of the value of milk humans and other animals.  Additionally, the many advantages associated with milk consumption and with over six billion consumers, it is no wonder why MILK is given its own and rightful recognition.