Skimmed Milk - Background

Background

Historically, skimmed milk was used for fattening pigs, and was recommended as "not only the very best supplement for growing pigs, but is of almost equal value for fattening purposes" as it "furnishes a complete protein" and makes the feed "more palatable."

Sometimes only half the cream is removed; this is called semi-skimmed milk.

Skimmed milk contains less fat than whole milk, and as such many nutritionists and doctors recommend it for people who are trying to lose weight or maintain a healthy weight. On the other hand, some consider skimmed milk to actually be less healthy than whole milk, questioning the extent to which animal fat contributes to weight gain. Skim milk contains almost no Vitamin A.

In the UK, milk is marketed and labelled as follows:

• Whole milk is about 4% fat
• Semi skimmed milk is 1.7% fat
• Skimmed milk is between 0.1-0.3% fat

In the USA, milk is marketed primarily by fat content and available in these varieties:

• Whole Milk is 3.25% fat
• 2% Reduced-Fat Milk
• 1% Lowfat Milk (also called Light Milk)
• 0% Fat-Free Milk (also called Skim Milk or Nonfat Milk)

Skim milk has had sufficient milk-fat removed to bring the level to less than 0.5%.