THE CHANGING ROLE OF MILK AND MILK PRODUCTS IN DIETS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM

The paper deals with: (1) The present contribution of milk in United Kingdom diets; (2) past changes in consumption; (3) factors affecting consumption; (4) how consumption can be changed; (5) likely future changes. One difficulty is that information on consumption refers to groups; little is known about individual consumption. This is even more true for past consumption patterns. Many factors affect consumption. A major part is played by government intervention, both in regulating prices and in distribution of welfare milk. Propaganda that milk fat is harmful has had little effect in this country. Future trends are difficult to forecast since they increasingly depend on government policy.