Martina Higgins, chief executive of Safefood which undertook the review, said it was clear that although nine out of 10 people in Ireland drink milk and over 50% drink it more than once a day, young women and teenage girls would benefit from drinking more.

"Recent research has revealed that 23% of women are not currently meeting the recommended intake of calcium, and 42% of teenage girls have inadequate intake of calcium."

A director of Safefood, Dr Cliodhna Foley Nolan, said her organization's research had found a perception among women and teenage girls that milk was a high-fat food. "Milk is neither a high-fat nor a high-saturated-fat food and contains many essential nutrients including protein, calcium and the water-soluble B vitamins required for a healthy diet."

The National Dairy Council echoed Safefood's comments, adding that it would shortly be rolling out a new information program aimed specifically at schools to promote milk to children and teenagers.

From the April 28, 2008, Prepared Foods e-Flash