Jakarta (ANTARA) - The level of consumption of animal protein sources, such as milk, among Indonesians is still low, Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin stated.

"Indonesians' per capita consumption of protein is above the national standard, which is 62.2 grams (per day) from the national standard of 57 grams (per day), but the consumption of animal protein sources, such as milk and its processed products, is still low," Sadikin noted here on Tuesday.

At the "World Milk Day" event organized by a dairy company, the minister affirmed that milk consumption can boost nutritional fulfillment.

Milk contains protein, calcium, vitamins, and minerals that are needed by the body and can strengthen the body's immune system, he stated.

The 2022 National Socioeconomic Survey revealed that protein consumption in Indonesia is 62.21 grams per capita per day, which is above the national protein adequacy number, albeit still quite low in terms of the intake of animal-sourced protein, namely seafood, at 9.58 grams; meat, 4.79 grams; and egg and milk, 3.37 grams.

Higher consumption of animal protein can aid in stunting prevention that is part of the government's current priority.

The Health Ministry always focuses on the dissemination of education in addressing nutritional problems by prioritizing a "life cycle approach" that aims to support children's growth and development, starting from childhood and well into adolescence.

To this end, he lauded companies producing animal protein sources, such as milk, for their participation in supporting Indonesians' nutritional adequacy.

"We hope Greenfields can continue to collaborate with the Health Ministry in supporting the transformation of primary health services by presenting the best products and services for the people of Indonesia," Sadikin remarked.

In commemoration of World Milk Day, he invited all parties to forge ahead towards a healthier Indonesia.

The Health Ministry earlier expressed its commitment to promoting the consumption of animal protein for every child in an effort to handle stunting.

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Translator: Fitra A. Kenzu
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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