DDC LAUNCHES SLIM MILK TARGETING THE HEALTH CONSCIOUS

STATE-OWNED Dairy Development Corporation (DDC) celebrated its 45th birthday on Tuesday by unveiling a new product, DDC Slim milk, which it expects to be

popular among the health conscious. Minister of Agriculture Development Tek Bahadur Thapa Gharti, Agriculture Secretary Jay Mukunda Khanal and DDC General Manager Siyaram Prasad Singh launched the low-fat milk amid a programme. According to DDC, the new product contains only 0.5 percent fat. “We have introduced the product which will appeal to people suffering from diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity,” said Sanjeeva Jha, business development officer at DDC. “People engaged in table work and wanting to consume less fat too can benefit from Slim milk.” DDC currently manufactures three types of milk — standard (skimmed), whole (non-skimmed) milk and Cow milk — and various other dairy products. While the standard milk contains 3 percent fat, the whole milk contains 5 percent fat and cow milk contains 3.5 percent fat. The standard milk is available in blue pouches and the non-skimmed variety is sold in green pouches. Cow milk comes in red pouches. DDC said that Slim milk contains appropriate amounts of protein, calcium and vitamin which is good for the heart. It will also help to strengthen the bones. The company said that the milk would initially be available only in the Kathmandu valley. While it will be presently manufacturing 2,000 l of Slim milk daily, it plans to boost output to 20,000 l next year. “With the number of health-conscious people increasing significantly, we are confident about achieving this target,” said Jha. The company has been receiving a very positive response to its pure Cow milk which was launched in February. DDC has raised production of Cow milk from 3,000 l to 8,000 l daily due to a significant increment in demand. Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, DDC General Manager Singh said that the new product has been introduced as per the corporation’s commitment to provide diversified products to consumers. “The launching of this new product will also help us to remove the milk holiday,” he said. Singh added that the company has been witnessing a very positive response to all its milk products, and that Slim milk would be sold in other major cities of the country in the near future. DDC has priced a 500 ml pouch of Slim milk at Rs 22.