NLDB introduces budget fresh milk

Dharma SRI ABEYRATNE

The National Livestock Development Board has introduced a one litre budget pack of fresh milk to induce more public to consume fresh milk, National Livestock Development Board Deputy Chairman Lakshman Hulugalle said.

The budget pack with the brand name 'Delite' is available in 120 NLDB sales outlets now and it will be sold in 200 Lak Sathosa outlets soon. Within a few days the budget pack of fresh milk will be available throughout the country.

The one litre pack is sold at Rs. 99 while the other competitive brands are sold at prices around Rs. 120.

Even though no preservatives are added, it can be kept for six months without storing in a refrigerator. However once opened it has to be stored in a refrigerator.

"The milk in the pack is UHT (Ultra High Temperature processing) treated using state-of-the-art technology and packed in Tetra-pack package to preserve the wholesome goodness of milk with highest quality and safety standards.

Delite milk is a result of NLDB's continuous effort to develop the local milk industry to serve the country and people better," Hulugalle added. In line with the Government's attempt to boost local milk production aiming to minimize country's foreign exchange spent on importing milk powder, the NLDB has initiated a program to issue a glass of fresh milk at Rs. 20.

The service will be available at NLDB sales outlets and authorised sales outlets soon. Considering the high demand for fresh milk, the NLDB will produce a small fresh milk packet for individual use.

The NLDB produces 9,000 litres of milk daily. In line with short-term milk production increasing program, the present daily milk production will be increased to 15,000 litres per day, Hulugalle said.