5000 years ago all milk was A2
"if you had no issues digesting milk there was no point in buying a2 milk and if a person was allergic to cows milk protein this would not work." Natasha Murray, dietician
A2 milk is the hot topic of the financial pages - well one of them - and reading the reports I am feeling a bit frustrated that we didn't buy into the A2 Milk Company a while ago. Too late now though. Anyway I thought I would look into it and in the process found that apparently all cows used to produce purely A2 milk. Now, in Australia anyway, it's just those from the A2 Milk Company's farms (28 of them) - for they have a patent on the testing of the milk - and the cows. So I guess it's not quite true that there are no other A2 cows, but here in Australia anyway you can't sell it unless it's theirs. Up to now that is, because they have just done a deal with Fonterra - the NZ company that is one of the world's largest dairy companies, along with the likes of Nestlé and Danone. As I understand it Fonterra now has access to the patent for developing their herds and A2MC will have access to Fonterra production facilities (I think I've got that right). They will also be looking at developing the product into other dairy products such as cheese and butter, and also at using Chinese A2 milk.
Just quickly to explain what A2 is:
"Cow’s milk contains protein. The primary group of milk proteins are the caseins. A1 and A2 are the two primary types of beta-casein (beta-casein is one of the three major casein proteins) present in milk. They are simply genetic variants of one another that differ in structure by one amino acid." Dr Nicholas Fuller - The Conversation (and University of Sydney)
The missionaries for A2 initially said that the A1 protein caused all manner of things as far apart as heart disease and autism. This was disproved I think and so now they just claim that it makes milk more digestible, stoping short of saying that the lactose intolerant can drink it.
For it is not true that the lactose intolerant can drink it - all milk contains lactose. Lactose free milk, which you can buy, has had lactase added to neutralise the lactose and has also been ultra pasteurised. A2 milk has lactose, but it is claimed (though not conclusively proved) that some people with an intolerance of the A1 protein (not of lactose), may be able to digest A2 milk better. So pay attention to the quote at the top of the page.
Even the CEO of Fonterra was heard to remark back in 2016 that A2 was a 'marketing concept." And it still sort of is, although a very successful one. So successful that the American magazine Fast Company listed A2MC as one of its top ten most innovative food companies of 2018. (The others are listed here.)
But back to those 5000 year old cows. What happened to them? Well back around 5000 years ago there was a mutation of the protein that resulted in the A1 protein, most likely they think because of breeding experiments, and from that date most cows have both proteins in their milk, although there are some with just A1 and now, some with just A2. The A2 variety having been developed through breeding. (How do they know that about those ancient cows?) To become an A2 farmer you have to have your cows tested, having spent several years developing your herd of course. The milk is also tested - every day. Which is why it is so expensive - twice the price of 'ordinary' milk. But it has been hugely successful - it now accounts for just below 10% of the milk market and it has also outdone organic milk. It was also the first of the baby milk products allowed back into the Chinese market after all that scandal over powdered milk. And, still on China, China has its own A2 herds. So far that has not been used here, although the A2 company is involved, but they and Fonterra will be looking at it. Strange to think of China with herds of cows is it not? For the Chinese and Asians in general are highly lactose intolerant.
"Approximately 1 in 50 infants have cow's milk protein allergies, but most grow out of it by the time they get to school
Up to 7.5 per cent of children have issues with cow's milk protein (either allergy or intolerance).
(I was one of these. Every day I forced myself to drink the bottle of milk we were given at school, though it really made me feel ill. I now see I should have just thrown it all up, which is what I really felt like doing, and maybe they would have asked my mother - who must have known about this. I still don't like to drink straight cold milk - but I love cream and cheese, butter, ice cream ... I can even just about drink milk shakes. So maybe it's just all in my head.)
Lactose intolerance affects: 7-20% of Caucasians 65-75% of African Descent Over 90% in some Asian populations 70% Australian Aboriginals." ABC Rural
None of which has any relevance to A2 because A2 really doesn't seem to have anything to do with lactose intolerance per se. Which doesn't prevent the A2 Milk Company being one of Australia's real company success stories. I don't know whether to be appalled or impressed.
