Pregnancy is a journey that is undoubtedly tough on a woman’s body. She goes through so many changes that are physically taxing, which is why many women turn to supplement their diets with maternal milk while pregnant to obtain the additional nutrients needed.
But with so many options of maternal milk in the supermarkets, how do you know which one to choose? Many brands are imported but did you realise it is important to know and understand where your maternal milk is imported from? What we want to highlight here are maternal milk origins.
How often do you check where the maternal milk is made? Often, when checking labels, we look at the ingredients list, the nutrients contained in the milk and also the expiry date. But we miss one of the most important elements of the label — where it is manufactured.
You might be wondering, why is it so important to know where it is made?
More often than not, we think all imported formulated milk powder comes from European countries or Australia and New Zealand. But this is a common misconception.
In fact, most maternal milk brands are manufactured in Thailand, Singapore or other Southeast Asian countries.
Do you know your maternal milk origins? Does it come from Southeast Asia?
Maternal milk origins: Why knowing where your maternal milk formula comes from is so crucial
Is maternal milk manufactured in Southeast Asia the same as if it was fully imported? Which is better?
The fact is, no, it is not the same when a milk product is manufactured in Southeast Asia versus being fully imported from Europe or other countries with large dairy farming.
Here is the main difference: single versus double manufacturing process.
Most milk products made in Southeast Asia go through a double manufacturing process while products that come directly from a European country, like Holland (or other countries with large dairy farming) only go through a single manufacturing process.
What does this mean?
A double manufacturing process means that the milk is typically sourced from a Western country. The cows are reared overseas, the milk is extracted from the farm and then transported to a factory to be made into powder. The powder is then shipped over to Southeast Asia for brands to include their own ingredients.
However, when this happens, the milk powder goes through multiple heat treatments and it is possible that natural nutrients are lost during this process.
Maternal milk origins can tell you whether the milk has been processed multiple times or only once.
Why a single manufacturing process is better
A single manufacturing process means that milk is extracted from cows in the original country, converted into powder using a mild heat treatment and then directly packaged and exported to be sold here in Malaysia.
This means that the brand that owns the farm is able to control the environment in which the cows are reared to ensure a thriving atmosphere. Then when the milk is transported, it is done so at the right temperature.
Before the milk is converted into powder, it is carefully tested for the right colour and scent to ensure that it is of the highest quality.
Not only that, when a single manufacturing process is carried out, it is easier to preserve the natural nutrients of the milk to give expecting mummies exactly what they need for their pregnancy journey.
The next time you’re shopping for maternal milk in the supermarket, be sure to check the source of your formulated milk powder brand.
Choose a milk brand that you can trust
Ultimately, when shopping around for a maternal milk brand, it is important to include maternal milk origins as a factor for your decision-making in order to find a milk brand that you can trust. Choose a milk brand that preserves natural nutrients from grass to glass with a single manufacturing process straight from the very farms and cows owned.
It is not just about additional fortified nutrients, but the source and journey of how these nutrients are packed that will ensure natural goodness in every glass. After all, mummies only want the best for the child growing inside them.