Frequently Asked Questions

What is a2 Milk™?

a2 Milk™ is just like other milk except it is naturally rich in A2 beta-casein protein.

How is a2 Milk™ made?

Most dairy milks today contain 2 main types of beta-casein protein, A2 and A1. a2 Milk™ is guaranteed to contain the highest levels of A2 beta-casein protein. a2 Milk™ is naturally produced by cows that produce the A2 beta-casein protein. This is done by selecting cows that naturally produce milk that contains only A2 beta-casein protein. These cows are selected using a simple and non-invasive genetic test that analyses a sample hair from the tail of each dairy cow. These cows are then milked separately to produce pure and natural a2 Milk™. Originally, all dairy cows produced milk containing only A2 beta-casein protein, which is why A2 beta-casein protein is called the original milk protein.

I want to know more about A2 beta-casein protein.

If you are a health professional, please review the scientific resources provided in the Health Professionals section. Please click on the link to view the A2 Science website www.a2science.com

How do I know it's a2 Milk™?

Look for the a2 Milk™ brand in your local supermarket.

Does a2 Milk™ have the same calcium levels as regular milk?

Yes, a2 Milk™ contains roughly the same amounts of calcium and other important minerals as other unfortified milks.

Does a2 Milk™ contain lactose?

Yes, a2 Milk™ contains levels of lactose comparable to that of standard milk. However, many people who have suffered from a range of intolerance responses to cow’s milk may have incorrectly assumed that they were lactose intolerant, and found that their symptoms improved after switching to a2 MilkTM. The switch allows these individuals to enjoy all of the significant benefits of dairy again.

It is possible that intolerance to A1 beta-casein (or more specifically, its digestion product BCM-7) may be confused with intolerance to lactose (which is a milk sugar). Lactose intolerance, which is only experienced by approximately 3-8% of the population, results from being unable to digest lactose. It is quite different from any intolerance reaction to the A1 beta-casein protein; if you are intolerant to A1 beta-casein, your intolerance symptoms will disappear after switching to a2 Milk™.

Does a2 Milk™ contain permeate?

a2 Milk™ does not contain any permeate or any other additives which is why it tastes so refreshing, as real milk should taste.

Where can I buy a2 Milk™?

a2 MilkTM is widely available in supermarkets in Australia. Please refer to the Retail Outlets section.

Is a2 Milk™ a product of genetic engineering or modification (GE or GM)?

Absolutely not! a2 Milk™ is obtained naturally from cows specially selected for their genetic makeup.

What breeds of dairy cattle produce the highest amounts of the A2 protein?

Generally it is accepted that the Guernsey breed of cattle have the highest frequency of the A2 gene, and thus Guernsey herds produce milk with high levels of A2 beta-casein.

Though not as high as the Guernseys, Jersey cows also produce milk containing high levels of A2. Holstein and Friesian breeds carry the A1 and A2 genes in roughly equal proportions.

However, sire programs and artificial insemination of cattle can greatly displace the frequency of beta-casein genes from generation to generation, owing to the phenomena termed the 'founder effect'. Thus, one can only generalise about a herd’s collective A2 beta-casein production until it is tested.

Can I freeze a2 Milk™?

a2 Milk™ can be frozen. We suggest freezing some milk in ice trays, to allow for portion control. These portions can be used in tea or coffee. Milk should be placed in the refrigerator and thawed completely prior to using.

Is a2 Milk™ produced in Australia?

Absolutely. It's 100% produced from local cows and as fresh as fresh can be.

Will there be different varieties of a2 Milk™?

Most definitely! a2 Jalna Low Fat Natural Creamy Yoghourt is now available in Coles supermarkets around Australia. Long Life a2 Milk™ is available at IGA Supermarkets and we are also working on powdered A2. We are also assessing a wide range of associated A2 dairy products including cream, cheese, butter and ice-cream.

Is a2 Milk™ organic?

Not necessarily. Some farmers and processors producing a2 Milk™ do follow organic principles, but that is purely incidental. It simply indicates that producers who are interested in the highest standards of natural purity and safety see a2 Milk™ as consistent with their objectives. But non-organic farmers can easily produce a2 Milk™.

Where can I find out about the nutritional information for a2 Milk™?

You can find nutritional information on the label of every a2 Milk™ bottle.

If I have lactose intolerance can I drink a2 Milk™?

a2 Milk™ contains the same quantity of lactose that is found in standard milk and will not resolve any medically diagnosed lactose intolerance. However, some of the symptoms commonly associated with lactose intolerance may be caused by other factors in milk such as the BCM-7 that can be released from A1 beta-casein digestion (a2 Milk™ does NOT contain A1 beta-casein: A1 beta-casein is found in non-a2 cow’s milk). Therefore, many people who self-diagnose themselves as lactose intolerant may in fact not be responding to lactose but to the impact of the A1 beta-casein derived BCM-7. BCM-7 is a strong opioid which has been shown to directly affect gut processes.

If you’re a health professional, you may wish to review some of the related scientific literature. Citation details are available in the Health Professionals section.

Will a2 Milk™ improve my digestive wellbeing?

a2 Milk™ does not contain A1 beta-casein protein which has been shown to release the potent opioid BCM-7 on digestion. Opioids in the gut can act directly on the gut lining and affect gut motility and absorption processes which can affect digestive wellbeing. Strong opioids are known to cause constipation.

Does a2 Milk™ help those with allergies?

Cow’s milk allergy is a serious condition and is different to cow’s milk intolerance. If you or your child is known to suffer from a cow’s milk allergy, you should consult your doctor or paediatrician before consuming any milk variety.

All milk contains a variety of biologically active factors known to affect the immune system. a2 Milk™ contains all of the proteins that you would find in standard cow’s milk except for the A1 beta-casein protein. Therefore those people with allergies to the proteins in standard cow’s milk will not be able to drink a2 Milk™.

The major difference is that a2 Milk™ does not contain A1 beta-casein protein, which releases the potent opioid BCM-7 that has been shown to stimulate histamine release as demonstrated in the research paper. Kurek M, Rueff F, Czerwionka-Szaflarska M, Doroszewska G, Przybilla B. Exorphins derived from cow's milk casein elicit pseudo-allergic wheal-and-flare reactions in healthy children. Rev fr Allergel. 1996;36(2):191-6