Fish milk.. A new food for children that raises controversy

Concerns over ultra-processed milk

Baby milk is a new food that has begun to be talked about globally as an alternative to formula milk with the addition of strawberry or chocolate flavors and presented to children.

In detail, Indonesia is exploiting the abundance of fish, by producing milk based on fish protein and nutrients, and despite the economic feasibility of the project, some nutrition experts are upset with the concept, for reasons related to the extreme processing of this type of milk.

The idea, as presented in a report published by the "New York Post", is that with local fishermen off the coast of the city of Indramayu transporting large quantities of mackerel, they are sent twice a day to a factory to remove their bones and grind them into a fine white powder full of protein.

Adding sugar flavors

Later, this sea milk is transferred to another facility to add a sugary flavor to either strawberry or chocolate.

Reports by local media in Indonesia have indicated the subject of fish milk, as it is being considered for school lunch programs, and is being promoted there as a good source of protein.

Experts also hope that fish milk could generate profits for a $4.5 billion industry and provide jobs for 200,000 people, the report said.

The unconventional idea of ​​incorporating fish nutrients into everyday life is not unique to the region, which is searching for answers to combat cow shortages.

Fish collagen

Fish collagen is a protein used in skin care in the United States, and the European Union last year hired scientists to find a way to remove the chemicals that cause the pungent marine smell of salmon protein powder.

What Indonesia is catching is “something that is useful, and hopefully economically viable,” said Rasmus Ree, a researcher at the EU-funded Norse research institute, and milk drinkers have not expressed any dislike of the taste.

Concerns over ultra-processing

However, some nutritionists are upset by the concept for reasons of ultra-processing, where it is mixed with sugar and artificial sweeteners.

Locally, the Jakarta Post reports that fish milk is “more of a political distraction than a meaningful nutritional intervention.” Even Indonesian Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin believes there are other ways to manage the cow shortage. “There are many, many, many choices to be made before we start milking fish,” he said.