The role of traditional foods in food-based dietary guidelines - A South African case study on maas (cultured milk)

- We examine food-based dietary guidelines, a policy tool for healthier food choices.
- Food-based dietary guidelines (FBDGs) can improve nutrition and food security.
- We examine the inclusion of traditional food, maas (cultured milk), in SA FBDGs.
- Maas is a nutritious, culturally relevant food in SA.
- Maas can contribute to food and nutrition security in SA.

With the revision of the South African food-based dietary guidelines (FBDGs) a new guideline specifically recommending the daily consumption of dairy products including maas (cultured milk) was introduced. This paper aims to evaluate the relevance of including maas as a traditional food product in the FBDGs. It was found that maas is a culturally relevant and traditional food product in South Africa. The nutrient profile of maas has changed notably over time since the first nutrient analysis was performed in 1995. The health benefits of maas, together with its popularity and its cultural relevance as part of the South African diet, make maas a suitable traditional food product to be included in the South African FBDGs.