'Healthier' milk for US shelves?

Natural and organic products business Ideasphere has announced the formation of a strategic partnership with New Zealand-based A2 Corporation to introduce 'heart healthy' A2 milk to the US market.

A2 milk derives its name from the type of protein contained in the milk - most of the milk sold in the US contains more beta-casein A1, or only A1.

The A2 Corporation​ was formed to promote A2 milk following research carried out both at the University of Auckland Medical School in New Zealand and by the firm's chief scientist, Dr Corran McLachlan, which provided initial evidence of a link between beta-casein A1 consumption and heart disease.

Today the firm holds a patent on the process for producing A2 milk, which includes a cost-effective DNA test for identifying cows that carry the A2 but not the A1 protein.

"A2 Corporation has created a commercially viable option that allows consumers to avoid a known cause of disease by consuming milk with all the benefits nature intended,"​ commented Greg Grohoski, IdeaSphere's chief of research and development.

A2 milk has been available both in New Zealand and Australia from earlier this year. The launch has been surrounded by controversy however, as A2 Corporation's claims that major dairy group Fonterra has suppressed research linking milk containing the A1 protein to autism, schizophrenia, diabetes and heart disease, have led to a highly publicized court battle.

Grand Rapids, Michigan-based IdeaSphere​ provides a range of natural and organic products, including foods, beverages and nutritional supplements. Earlier this month the firm announced its intention to come to the rescue of bankrupt nutritional supplement company Twinlab via an asset purchase agreement, for which it is currently awaiting regulatory approval.