Rhone Ma introduces A2 milk to Malaysia

By Jim Cornall

- Last updated on GMT

The company brought in 95 A2 cows from Australia in June. Pic: Rhone Ma
The company brought in 95 A2 cows from Australia in June. Pic: Rhone Ma

Related tags A2 milk Malaysia

In Malaysia, Rhone Ma Holdings Berhad (Rhone Ma) is a homegrown dairy industry player that is introducing A2 milk to the local market.

The company first entered into the dairy farming industry in February 2020 through an initial investment of approximately RM0.70m ($167,000) and later, an additional capital injection of RM1.47m ($350,000) after the completion of the shares sale agreement in Nor Livestock Farm Sdn. Bhd. a dairy farm located in Batang Kali, Selangor.

The approximately six-acre farm currently houses more than 150 cattle, including 95 Holstein A2A2 cattle flown in from Australia at the end of June 2020.

Regular cow’s milk contains a combination of both A1 and A2 proteins, both of which affect the body differently. When A1 protein is digested in the small intestine, it produces a peptide called beta-casomorphin-7 (BCM-7) which is then absorbed by the intestines and passed into the blood.

Rhone Ma said studies have linked BCM-7 to stomach discomfort and symptoms similar to those experienced by people with lactose intolerance. However, the company said, the structure of A2 protein is more comparable to milk from goats, sheep and buffalo and is advocated as an alternative for people who experience gut discomfort after drinking conventional cow’s milk.