The Letters Editor
The Australian
(via email)
Dear Editor
I was very disappointed with your alarmist front page article 'Autism, milk link research hidden' (The Australian, 13 /11). Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has been aware for some time about the claims of the marketers of A2 milk, but as yet has found no sound evidence from the scientific literature to convince us to change the food regulations.
Your journalist incorrectly quoted our spokeswoman saying that FSANZ had not issued a public warning because of ongoing legal action. This could not be further from the truth. Should evidence appear, FSANZ would immediately alert the public if any food is found not to be safe for human consumption.
We are more concerned that people may believe the alarmist view of the article and stop consuming milk. Milk is an important staple of our diet, especially for children, and breastfeeding also has a major role in disease reduction. Our advice still is that the public should continue their normal consumption of milk.
Your article also states that all milk sold in Australia is A1 type. Had your journalist checked with the dairy industry as suggested by my officer, she would have found that Australian milk is sourced from a combination of A1 and A2 cattle. This was far too important a claim to make in a major national newspaper without checking the facts.
Yours sincerely
IAN LINDENMAYER
MANAGING DIRECTOR
FOOD STANDARDS AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND