1.  Despite histories that did not include milk production or consumption, and genes for lactase impersistence, many populations are now drinking milk. Consumption is declining in traditional milk-drinking countries.  Why is this milk consumption becoming globally normative, despite culinary and genetic differences among populations?  How does milk contribute to discourse about “growth” in ways that are meaningful across the globe? © 2011 Taylor and Francis

3. Milk production and consumption in selected countries: 1990-2009. total per capita kg milk production (MT) ratio of fluid milk consumptionratio of Country19902009 2009 to 1990 199020092009 to 1990 Brazil14500287951.9960.955.50.91 Mexico6456113051.7537.740.21.07 United States67005858201.28105.191.20.87 Canada797582001.03100.892.70.92 EU-27* -137815 67.6 New Zealand7746166012.14124.779.30.64 Australia643596701.50102.4110.01.07 Japan819079000.9641.033.80.82 China4751296256.242.58.93.55 India535001092002.0430.639.51.29 *European Union, 27 countries. EU-27 did not report statistics in 1990 Source: www.fas.usda.gov/psdonline/psdHome.aspx Population estimates for per capita calculations from www.nationmaster.com

4.  Growth in milk production and consumption are highest in developing countries, particularly in China and India  Consumption has declined in traditional milk-drinking countries and in Japan, where milk consumption surged in the post-WWII period.  Dairy industry seeking out new markets © 2011 Taylor and Francis

6. The Chinese Food Pagoda (Source: Reprinted from Journal of the American Dietetic Association Dietary Guidelines and the Food Guide Pagoda. 100(8), Chinese Nutrition Society, pp. 886–888. Copyright (2000), with permission from Elsevier). India uses the U.S. Food Pyramid

7. © 2011 Taylor and Francis Billboard featuring Liu Xiang, the Olympian hurdler, promoting China- produced milk (Source: Getty Images. Used with permission). Rhetoric emphasizes that milk will enhance the growth of Chinese children and improve “population quality.” Popular understanding that greater milk consumption underlies the larger size of Western populations and the success of their athletes. Milk as means by which “size deficits” can be overcome in China.

8. © 2011 Taylor and Francis Mother Dairy brand milk advertisement from India (Source: http://www. motherdairy.com/campaign.asp). Milk has a long history of usage in India Cows are worshipped by Hindus and milk (from both cows and water buffalo has long been valued as a food). Increase in milk consumption particularly among the urban middle class. Promotions emphasize milk’s links to growth, with strong nationalist overtones. Height is highly valued; milk as a way of gaining height and strength.

9.  In India and China milk is linked to Westernization and modernity, especially economic growth and success  Milk had similar links to modernity in early 20 th century U.S.  Problems with safety and adulturation are common.  In U.S. milk is now promoted as a solution to the problems of modernity (e.g. chronic diseases). The link to growth is less compelling in the context of concerns about “over-size” or “excess” growth and among an aging population. © 2011 Taylor and Francis

10.  High rates of lactase impersistence do not seem to be an insurmountable impediment to the spread of milk drinking.  Higher rates of consumption among children, who likely still have some lactase activity  Yogurt and yogurt drinks are commonly consumed and use traditional modes of preparation –these reduce exposure to lactose.  No longer clear distinction between Marvin Harris’s “lactophiles” and “lactophobes” © 2011 Taylor and Francis