The first ever National Healthy Eating Guidelines for One to Four Year Olds has been welcomed by the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers’ Association (ICMSA).

In particular, the specific reference to milk as one of the nine ‘main messages’ the guidelines set out was lauded by the association.

The guidelines were unveiled by Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly, together with the Minister for Children, Roderic O’Gorman and the Minister of State for Public Health and Wellbeing Frank Feighan today (Thursday, October 1).

Under the messages, it was noted that children in the above age range should be offered three small meals and two to three healthy snacks every day.

In addition, it is recommended that such children be offered three servings of milk, yogurt or cheese every day, while red meat should be offered three times a week for iron, in addition to breakfast cereals with added iron (12mg/100g).

Commenting on the new guidelines, ICMSA president Pat McCormack said:

“Yet again a highly qualified and scientifically strenuous examination had demonstrated beyond any doubt that consumption of milk by young children is not just desirable but necessary and vital for healthy development.”

Continuing, the president said that not alone is the key economy of commercial milk production being subverted by the prominence being given this “outright quackery”, but that time tested and scientifically proven dietary requirements for young children are being undermined.

He said that today’s publication of the national guidelines is welcome recognition for Irish milk and the importance of milk in the diet of children.

“Real evidence has shown that milk is a key food for one to four year olds and that children of that age should be given three servings of milk, yogurt or cheese every day,” McCormack concluded.