World Milk Day: Here's everything you need to know

World Milk Day, established by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations aims to recognise the importance of milk as a global food.

Observed on June 1 each year since 2001, the day intends to provide an opportunity to bring attention to activities that are connected with the dairy sector.

World Milk Day provides an opportunity to focus attention on milk and to publicise activities connected with milk and the dairy industry.

The fact that many countries choose to do this on the same day lends additional importance to individual national celebrations and shows that milk is a global food.

In 2016, World Milk Day was celebrated in over 40 countries. Activities included marathons and family runs, milking demonstrations and farm visits, school-based activities, concerts, conferences and seminars, competitions and a range of events focusing on promoting the value of milk and illustrating the important role played by the dairy industry in the national economy.

Celebrations this year has a special campaign carried out by the Global Dairy Platform called “Raise a Glass” and a campaign hashtag: #WorldMilkDay.

The date June 1 was chosen because a number of countries were already celebrating a national milk day on or around this time.

Late May was originally proposed, but some countries, for example China, felt they already had too many celebrations in that month. While most countries hold their celebrations on 1st June, some choose to hold them a week or so before or after this date.