Organic milk powder
The raw material for organic milk powder is organic cows’ milk. People have been drinking cow’s milk for more than 7,500 years, and daily intake can provide those who tolerate milk and dairy products well with a unique composition of valuable nutrients. This is why milk and the products derived from it, such as cheese, quark, or yogurt, are practically part of the staple diet in this country. Milk and dairy products are an integral part of official dietary recommendations in at least 42 countries around the world.
Where does organic milk powder come from?
Like all our ingredients, the milk used to make our milk powder is of the best organic quality. For ecological reasons, it is important to us to avoid long delivery routes. That is why we source our milk exclusively from EU countries (European Union), preferably from Germany, Austria and France. We prefer farms that are not only committed to organic farming but also produce Bioland pasture-raised milk. Our standards, such as those relating to animal welfare, are very high. Based on Bioland criteria, housing, feeding and milk production are subject to the principles of species-appropriate husbandry. The fresh milk obtained from the animals is only heated to 72-75°C for a short time (maximum 30 seconds). This reduces the bacterial count, but preserves the valuable nutrients.
Germany is the most important supplier for the production of our milk powder.
1 of 3France has a long and steadily growing organic experience.
2 of 3Austria supplies relatively little milk. However, our milk powder is produced here.
3 of 3How is the milk powder produced?
Milk powder (also known as dried milk powder) by definition consists of “milk solids produced by removing all of the free water from milk”. It can be made from whole milk or skimmed milk. It all starts in the pasture …
IT'S BEAUTIFUL OUTSIDE
PASTURE
For pasture-raised milk, a cow should spend at least 6 hours daily for 120 days a year at pasture for the milk to be labeled as pasture-raised milk. They should be able to move freely all year round and also have outdoor access in the winter months. To supplement grazing, we use only GMO-free feed which according to the EU Organic Regulation must contain 60% hay, grass, clover and roughage silage in the daily amount of feed.
ESSENTIALS
MILKING
To milk a cow correctly means to take into account the physiological needs of the animal. Milking routine and milking hygiene are prerequisites for good udder health and consequently also for high milk quality. An animal-friendly approach includes brief pre-milking by hand in order to detect changes in the milk and to clean and dry the teats. This pre-treatment stimulates the “milk release hormone” oxytocin and allows for rapid, udder-friendly milking. A final disinfection of the teats prevents the formation of pathogens.
FROM SPRAY DRYING TO POWDER
DRYING PROCESS
The liquid milk must be made into a powder which we can then use in our meal replacement drink. We have opted for powder produced by spray drying. The milk is sprayed into the air through very fine nozzles in a “tower spray dryer”. During this process, the milk itself reaches a maximum temperature of 70-80°C. This is very beneficial for the preservation of nutrients.
TRUST IS GOOD, CONTROL IS BETTER
INCOMING GOODS INSPECTION
At the incoming goods inspection, every incoming delivery is strictly examined by our food inspection specialists. Organic origin is verified. Hygiene with respect to packaging and contents of the delivery is another important test criterion. The packaging must not be damaged and must not show traces of moisture. Visual inspection provides information about the consistency and purity of the milk powder.
IT SHOULD BE DRY AND DARK
STORAGE
Dried milk powder is hygroscopic, which means it attracts water from the surrounding air, which can result in clumping. Therefore, it must be stored in an area with low humidity. In addition to being dry, the area should be kept at a uniform cool temperature with no direct sunlight.
But why milk?
Organic milk, which is what we use to produce our organic milk powder, is a valuable food with a very balanced base mixture of nutrients. It goes without saying that we use organic milk powder: all our ingredients are of organic quality. Studies have also shown that the composition of fatty acids in organic milk or pasture-raised milk is different from that of conventionally produced milk. Among other things, the proportion of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids is higher. Omega-3 fatty acids are essential nutrients and must be obtained from food.
Milk and products derived from it provide numerous other essential vital substances. These include important vitamins and minerals. Milk is an important source of vitamin B12 (cobalamin), for instance. In addition, the white nourishment contains vitamins B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), and B6 (pyridoxine), as well as vitamin A (retinol) and folic acid. There should be an emphasis on calcium, magnesium, iodine, and zinc in terms of minerals. A considerable portion of the daily requirement of these vitamins and minerals (according to D_A_C_H reference value) can be obtained from half a litre of milk. Due to the special composition of milk, all nutrients are readily bioavailable. This also applies to what are perhaps the two best known nutrients in milk: calcium and protein.
Calcium is primarily needed for the construction and stability of our bones. The protein components of milk and the lactose in milk promote the absorption of calcium into the bones. In adults, half a litre of milk provides a good half of the daily requirements of calcium.
The protein content of milk powder is around 25 percent, which is very high. Proteins are an important building material for muscles and cells. Enzymes and some hormones also consist of proteins. Proteins also serve as carriers of iron and other substances in blood. Milk protein has a particularly high biological value, which means that it can very easily be converted into the body’s own proteins.
What applies to milk also applies to our organic milk powder. Through gentle processing, the valuable nutrients are almost completely preserved. That is why it is important to us to enrich our BERTRAND meal replacement drink with the high quality nutrients of milk. Last but not least, with a fat content of about 26 percent, organic milk powder is not only filling but also tasty. Fat is undeniably a flavour carrier, and the dry milk powder gives our meal replacement drinks a pleasantly balanced and gentle aroma. A lactose content of 38 percent gives the finished product a mild, slightly sweet note.
Despite all reservations
Many sources point to adverse effects on the body when milk is consumed. However, the current data is inconclusive, so the benefits outweigh possible disadvantages. Currently, all major professional associations recommend the consumption of dairy products.
What are the concerns about milk?
Nevertheless, we understand that some of our customers want to avoid milk and dairy products for ethical reasons. For those customers, we have developed a vegan version of our BERTRAND meal replacement drink. Of course, BERTRAND vegan is also suitable for anyone who suffers from lactose intolerance and must avoid milk for health reasons.
- Image of the dairy farm at the top of the page: SYanawut via Shutterstock
- Map of Europe: teka12 via Shutterstock