Milk Consumption Linked to Autism

[Guest guest]

Milk Consumption Linked to Autism

By Claire Harvey, New Zealand correspondent

 

Dairy giant Fonterra is trying to suppress explosive research

linking milk with autism in children, according to a lawsuit filed

in New Zealand's High Court. All milk and dairy products sold in

Australia are potentially affected by the research, including Fon-

terra's top-selling brands Mainland, Peters, Tip Top and Bega. A

secret internal Fonterra memo, dated October 2000, reveals the New

Zealand-based co-operative was warned by its own scientist of

research suggesting autism, schizophrenia, diabetes and heart

disease could be triggered by proteins found in all of its milk

products and infant formulas. The memo, tendered in the High Court

case, says there is " growing evidence, but yet unproven, that

peptides released from milk may be related to occurrence of some

mental disorders " .

 

" If the media were ever able to assemble the information shown in

this paper they could put an alarmist spin on the whole area of milk

consumption, " the internal briefing paper to directors of Fonterra,

then known as the New Zealand Dairy Board, says. The research

relates to a protein in A1 milk, which is the most commonly pro

duced milk in Australia. The protein beta casein A1 is also

allegedly a risk factor for childhood diabetes and coronary heart

disease. The Australian and New Zealand Food Standards Authority

says all milk sold in Australia is A1 type.

 

Its spokeswoman said it had not warned the public because of ongoing

legal action. The accusations are made by A2 Corporation, a New

Zealand biotechnology company formed by dairy scientist Corran

McLachlan in 2000. Dr McLachlan alleges Fonterra has secretly

applied for patent applications on research linking A1 milk with

autism. But Fonterra accuses Dr McLachlan of publicity-seeking for

A2 Corporation's own milk, which does not contain the protein. Dr

McLachlan plans to launch A2 milk in the New Zealand market as early

as Christmas. " This is a public interest matter, " Dr McLachlan told

The Australian. " We believe this information is being suppressed and

that is why we are risking so much money on a High Court case. "

 

Dr McLachlan said he would be wary of feeding A1 milk to

children. " I would not encourage my kids to drink lots of milk, " he

said. " Fonterra chief executive Craig Norgate denies any cover-

up. " There is nothing in the research that gives us concern. We would

be the first to take a responsible public stand if we felt it was

warranted. " A2 Corporation wants the court to force Fonterra to

reveal all research it has linking A1 milk to autism, and to put

health warnings on its A1 milk. The Fonterra memo says University of

Florida scientist Robert Cade reported in 1999 that children with

autism and schizophrenia had extremely high levels of BCM-7, a

compound produced by the digestion of A1 milk. The potential for A1

milk to trigger childhood (type 1) diabetes was first reported by

Auckland diabetes specialist Bob Elliott in 1994 and later supported

by further research in 1999.

 

 

 

 

Second from the Australian Newspaper

Thu, 14 Nov 2002 10:32:43 -0000

 

Cut out Dairy for Autistic Children

By Claire Harvey, New Zealand correspondent and Clara Pirani

 

Parents should try cutting milk from the diets of autistic children,

as dairy products might aggravate or even cause the condition, an

autism expert has suggested. The advice came as dairy giant Fonterra

fights accusations in the New Zealand High Court it is covering up

research linking autism and other mental disorders to milk

consumption by patenting the damning study.

 

Paul Shattock, from the University of Sunderland's autism research

unit in Britain in Australia for an international conference said

about half of autism patients who tried a

milk-free diet had success. " We suggest people consider excluding

dairy products from their diet for three weeks to see if there's an

improvement in their health, " he said.

_________________

JoAnn Guest

mrsjoguest

www.geocities.com/mrsjoguest/Diets