US milk down 36%

Between 1970 and 2007, US milk consumption slid by 36% from 0.96 to 0.61 cup equivalents a day, according to new research from the US Department of Agriculture.

Non-drinkers rose among young children from 12% in 1977/78 to 24% in 2007/08 and among adolescents from 41% to 54% over the same period.

The Government recommends overall dairy consumption of 3 cup equivalents per day, but the average including cheese and other dairy products has long held steady at 1.5 cups.

Lower fat milk products accounted for 70% of consumption at the end of the 2000s, a huge rise from 20% in the 1970s.