MILLIONS of mums believe the real milk of human kindness is organic - and now they have proof, reports the Daily Record.co.uk. Sales have been soaring as parents try to give their kids the best possible start in life.

Researchers found infants raised on organic dairy products are a third less likely to suffer from allergies in the first two years of life. The latest findings come from a Dutch study that followed the lifestyle, diet and health of 2500 pregnant women and their children for two years after birth.

Children weaned on organic milk, cheese and yoghurts and who were breastfed by mums eating organic dairy products were 36 per cent less likely to suffer from allergies, they found.

Study author Dr Machteld Huber said: "There was a clear relationship between organic dairy use and less eczema. The difference was significant but only for children exclusively eating organic dairy products."

Dr Huber, of the Louis Bolk Institute, in the Dutch city of Utrecht, added: "We didn't find a relationship if they had organic and conventional dairy products."

Her team believe higher concentrations of fatty acids called conjugated linoleic acids found in organic milk play a role, the British Journal of Nutrition reported.

Professor Carlo Leifert, at Newcastle University, who is leading a European-funded study into organic foods and health, thinks it is a significant moment for the industry. He said: "This is the first example of a definite health impact of organic food consumption being published in a peer-reviewed journal."

It will give mums who are considering giving organic milk to their kids plenty to think about and those wanting to try it will be joining a massive movement in food.

Over the last five years, sales of organic milk have jumped from five million litres a year to around 25 million.

Stuart Martin, marketing director of the Scottish Organic Milk Producers Association, is naturally delighted with the new report's conclusions.

He said: "This study backs up many new mums' choice to drink organic milk when they are breastfeeding and to feed it to their toddlers. When we speak to young mums, they say they choose organic milk because they want to give their children the best start in life. When young women have children their attitude to food and nutrition changes and becomes more health conscious."

Many mums were convinced of the health benefits after research by Aberdeen University, which found organic milk has 71 per cent more Omega 3 than conventional milk because of the cows' clover-rich natural diet.

Omega 3 essential fatty acids play an important role in maintaining a healthy heart, supple and flexible joints, healthy growth and strong bones and teeth.

"Organic milk doesn't contain any pesticides, added hormones or antibiotics," said Stuart.

"When an organic cow becomes sick our farmers are encouraged to treat it homeopathically first and only use antibiotics as a last resort. "Meanwhile, the milk from that cow is removed from the milk stream and is not used at all."

Given that organic cows are less intensively reared and allowed more space, isn't organic milk, yoghurt and cheese more expensive for cash-strapped families? Not necessarily, Stuart believes. He said: "There are currently promotions to sell organic milk in Tesco, Asda and Sainsbury's and it's actually cheaper than conventional milk. Even when it's full price, organic milk is only 60 a litre more expensive."

Organic milk is better for the environment because it's sourced from local cows and it's kinder to the animals, which have more room to roam.

Stuart certainly thinks it's the cream of dairy products. "Many people say it also tastes better, cleaner and creamier than conventional milk. Our message is - if you're going to try to buy organic, the easiest thing to buy is organic milk."