Dairy companies have been influential in generating greater public interest on the positive effects of milk consumption, especially for children aged seven to 12 years. For its part, leading dairy and goof stuff company SADAFCO has reached almost 90 per cent of the Kingdom’s schools and distributed more than a million Saudia milk packs to children as part of its ongoing educational campaign on benefits of milk; “Saudia Champions program”.
Milk is regarded as the ultimate wellness drink because it contains nine essential nutrients (protein, Vitamin D, potassium, calcium, riboflavin, Vitamin B-12, phosphorus, Vitamin A and niacin). It protects against illnesses such as dental decay and hypertension, strengthens the immune system and contributes to healthy skin, among others.
“The health benefits of milk range from providing good nutrition to fighting serious chronic diseases. Milk can play a huge role in ensuring good health from youth to old age and is gaining more popularity thanks to a growing health consciousness among Saudi families. We have invested millions of Saudi Riyals to raise awareness on the importance of including milk in children’s diets. We have teams that visit schools and distribute milk packs along with information leaflets as part of our campaign. It is important to educate people on the health aspects of milk, which is why “Saudia Milk” has been launching related initiatives that particularly target young audiences,” said Wael Subghah, Brand Manager, Saudia Milk.
Milk should be included as an important part of a child’s diet as it promotes brain development and strengthens bones. Saudi Arabia currently leads the GCC in promoting milk consumption, holding 59 per cent of the regional dairy market. Milk is a very popular drink among Saudi youth who comprise almost two third of the national population.