Despite the dismal economy and higher price, the demand for organic milk has grown steadily over the past few years. These days organic milk accounts for two percent of all milk sold in Finland.
The distinction between regular and organic milk is in what the cows are fed. Red clover in organic milk cow's diets account for a slight difference in the composition of the milk's fatty acids.
“There isn’t much of a difference, but it is a very systematic one. Adding clover to conventional production will nevertheless be reflected in the composition of the milk,” says Juha Nousiainen, Valio’s primary production and milk purchasing director.
In practice, the difference in fatty acid concentrations between regular and organic milk is negligible. Ursula Schwab of the University of Eastern Finland helped write up Finland’s official dietary guidelines.
“The amounts of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are so small that there is no significance. The problem with milk fat is the high proportion of hard fat, organic or not. The living conditions of the cows are irrelevant in this context,” she says.
Organic ethical choice for many
Organic food is often seen as a more ethical choice than conventionally-raised foods. Many say organic products help people to avoid toxic residues in their diets and also helps to provide animals with better lives.
If EU regulations for organic products are changed this spring, Vitamin D-fortified organic milk may soon be on its way to supermarket shelves.
Schwab says she would welcome adding the vitamin, adding that Finns already get most of their Vitamin D in their diets.
Organic milk is the best-selling organic food product in Finland. Other organic favourites include vegetables and eggs.