Skip to main content
Knowledge4Policy
Knowledge for policy

Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Knowledge Gateway

A reference point for public health policy makers with reliable, independent and up-to date information on topics related to promotion of health and well-being.

  • Page | Last updated: 11 Apr 2025

Food-Based Dietary Guidelines recommendations for milk and dairy products

Health Promotion Knowledge Gateway

Summary of FBDG recommendations for milk and dairy products for the the EU, Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and the United Kingdom

Due care was taken to ensure factually correct information. Food groupings and food group names differ across individual FBDGs; the ones used here are a compromise to present the information in a structured way. Differences such as those in number of portions and portion sizes were kept unaltered. The original country FBDGs and the responsible national public health authorities remain the only qualified points of reference.

Country

Quantitative recommendations

Qualitative recommendations

Portion size

Belgium 250-500 ml of milk or dairy products per day--
BulgariaConsume daily one glass of sour or fresh milk (200 ml) and 50 g of cheese

- Prefer milk and dairy products with low fat and salt content.

- Choose fresh and low-fat (1.5%) or skimmed (0.1-0.5%) yogurt.

- Prefer cheeses and curds with reduced and low fat and salt content.

- Desalt salty brined cheeses by letting them sit for a while in water.

-
Czechia-Include milk and dairy products daily, especially soured ones (e.g. yogurts, soured milk drinks, kefirs).- Preferably choose low-fat options.-

Country

Quantitative recommendations

Qualitative recommendations

Portion size

Denmark250-350 ml milk or dairy products  and 20 g of cheese a day is adequate when eating a plant-rich and varied diet. The amount of cheese will be less for children.

- Choose mainly skimmed milk or buttermilk.

- Choose mainly fermented milk products, such as plain yogurt, with a maximum of 1.5% fat and choose mainly cheese with a maximum of 17% fat (30+).

- Limit your intake of high-fat dairy products, such as cream.

-
Note: The appropriate amounts of milk or milk products and cheese depend on your age:
- 2-3 years old: a small glass of milk + a small portion of milk product (in total about 250ml) and ¼ slice of cheese (about 5g)
- 4-10 years old: a glass of milk + a small portion of milk product (in total about 300ml) and ½ slice of cheese (about 10g)
- 11-17 years old: a glass of milk + a small portion of milk product (in total about 300ml, however up to 350 ml at puberty and high growth) and 1 slice of cheese (about 20g)
- 18-70 years old: a small glass of milk + a small portion of milk product (in total about 250ml) and 1 slice of cheese (about 20g)
Germany-2 portions of milk & dairy per day.-If you use plant-based milk alternatives, ensure sufficient supply of calcium, vitamin B 2 and iodine.One portion corresponds to either 1 glass of milk (250 g), a slice of cheese (30 g) or a yogurt (150 g).
Estonia2-3 portions

- Do not replace with plant substitutes.

- Liquid dairy products: prefer 2.5% fat.

- Cheese: prefer low-fat (not fat-free), low-salt.

- Sweeten yoghurt, curd with berries and fruit.

- Avoid very fat products.

Milk: 2.5 dl if <2.5% fat, 2 dl if 2.5%, 1.7 dl if >2.5%, 200 g sour milk, cheese, kefir (≤2.5%), flavoured curd. Cottage cheese: 130 g if ≤2.5%, 120 g if 2.51-5%, 80 g if >5%. Non-flavoured yoghurt: 200 g if ≤2.5%, 150 g if 2.51-6%, 100 g if 6.1-10%. Cheeses: 90 g if ≤9.9%, 50 g if 10-20.9%, 35 g if 21-29.9%, 25 g if >30%. Sour cream: 100 g if 10%, 50 g if 20%, 35 g if 30%, 30 g if ≥30%. Flavoured yoghurt: 140 g  if ≤2,5%, 100 g if >2.5%. Flavoured curds, cottage cheese: 100 g  if ≤2.5%, 75 g if > 2.5%. 1 portion ≈ 110 kcal.

Country

Quantitative recommendations

Qualitative recommendations

Portion size

Ireland3 servings a day of milk, yoghurt, and cheese

- Choose reduced-fat or low-fat varieties.

- Choose low-fat milk and yoghurt more often than cheese.

- Enjoy cheese in small amounts.

1 glass (200 ml) milk, 1 carton (125 g) yoghurt, 1 bottle (200 ml) yoghurt drink, 2 thumbs (25 g hard or semi-hard cheese such as cheddar or edam, 2 thumbs (25 g) soft cheese such as brie or camembert.
Greece2 servings/d

- Consume a variety of dairy products.

- Prefer low-fat dairy products.

1 glass of milk (250 ml); 1 cup of yoghurt (200 g); 30 g hard natural cheese; 60 g soft cheese.
SpainA maximum of 3 servings daily, without added sugar and with a low salt contentDue to the high environmental impact of dairy products, it is suggested to reduce the number of daily servings if you consume other foods of animal origin (meat, fish, eggs, milk)One serving= 200-250 ml of milk (example: 1 glass or cup of milk), 85-125 g of fresh cheese, 40-60 g of cured cheese (example: 2-3 slices of cheese), 125 g of yogurt (example: 1 unit of yogurt).
Note: In situations of deficiency and high nutritional demand (pregnancy, lactation, anorexia associated with aging), dairy consumption is recommended for its high nutritional contribution and ease of consumption

Country

Quantitative recommendations

Qualitative recommendations

Portion size

France2 dairy products per day (can be increased to 3 in case of small portions)

- Favour cheeses with the highest calcium content and less fat.

- Given the risks associated with contaminants, be sure to vary the dairy products.

1 portion = 150 ml milk, 125 g yoghurt, 30 g cheese
Croatia-Consume daily milk and dairy products-
Note: They are source of proteins, B vitamins, zinc, magnesium and especially calcium
Italy3 portions milk or yoghurt every day; 3 portions of cheese per week

- Choose semi-skimmed milk.

- Prefer cheeses with lower fat and salt content and consume them in moderate quantities.

125 ml milk; 125 g yoghurt; 100 g cheese <25% fat content (<300 kcal/100 g); 50 g cheese >25% fat content (>300 kcal/100 g)

Country

Quantitative recommendations

Qualitative recommendations

Portion size

Cyprus2-3 portions/d milk or yoghurtSkimmed milk is recommended (i.e. containing 0-1% fat), alternatively low fat (< 2% fat)1 serving = 1 cup (240 ml) milk; 1/2 cup (120 ml) skimmed, unsweetened, condensed milk; 1/3 cup (80 ml) skimmed milk powder; 1 cup (240 ml) low-fat yoghurt; 1 cup (240 ml) kefir (ayran); 30 g halloumi or feta cheese, 35 g anari cheese, 2 tablespoons (30 ml) anari / halloumi, grated.
Note: Cheese is included in one group together with meat, legumes, eggs, peanut butter, tofu and fish
Latvia2 to 3 servings a day

- Prefer low-fat versions of milk and dairy products.

- It is recommended to choose skimmed dairy products without added sugar or salt.

- Especially recommended are sour milk products like kefir, yogurt, buttermilk etc.

- Include milk in your diet with a fat content of no more than 2.5%.

- Limit the use of cream and sour cream in cooking. 

unsweetened milk or sour milk product, such as kefir, buttermilk, unadulterated yoghurt - one glass; cheese - one slice or 30 g; cottage cheese - 100 g
Lithuania-

- Choose dairy products that are low in fat, salt and sugar.

- Prefer low-fat cottage cheese and cottage cheese, kefir, buttermilk, low-fat unsweetened curd, sour milk.

- Limit or moderate dairy products high in saturated fat, such as cream, sour cream, fermented milk cheeses and other fatty cheeses.

-

Country

Quantitative recommendations

Qualitative recommendations

Portion size

Luxembourg3 portions per day

- Opt for a variety. Vary between milk, yoghurt and fresh, soft and hard cheese.

- Opt for semi-skimmed milk products. Creamy yoghurts and cream cheese contain more fat than other milk, yoghurt and cheese products. Make sure you check the Nutri-Score. It will help you make the right choices for a balanced diet.
- Flavoured and sweetened milks and chocolate milk drinks are considered sugary drinks and should only be consumed occasionally.
One portion is equivalent to 200 ml of milk or 1 small pot of yoghurt or quark/cream cheese (125g), 1 slice of hard cheese or 1/8 of a Camembert-type cheese or 2 tablespoons of fromage frais.
Note: Milk, yoghurt and cheese are the main source of calcium in the diet.
Hungary

- 0.5 L milk (or equivalent) per day is recommended.

- Consume milk and dairy products every day.

- Choose low-fat.

- Each meal should have complete protein.

2 dl milk / yoghurt / kefir, 50 g curd, 30 g cheese
Note: Included in "Meat/fish/eggs/milk and dairy products" group
Malta2 servings/d

- Choose low-fat plain milk, yoghurt and cheese as part of your daily diet.

- Lower fat versions are still high in protein and calcium.

250 ml milk; 1 tub (150 ml) yoghurt; 30-40 g cheese; 45-50 g rikotta/ġbejna

Country

Quantitative recommendations

Qualitative recommendations

Portion size

Netherlands

- 2-3 servings and 40 g cheese per day for both men and women aged 19-50 yr.

- Additional recommendations for children; elderly; pregnant women; lactating women.

Consume sufficient dairy products such as milk, yoghurt, and cheeseGlass or small bowl: 150 ml
Note: Included in protein-rich products
Austria

- 3 portions/d.

- Ideally 2 servings "white" (e.g. yoghurt, cottage cheese, butter milk) and 1 serving "yellow" (cheese).

Prefer low-fat productsMilk (200 ml), yoghurt (180-250 g), buttermilk (200 g), cottage cheese (200 g), cheese (50-60 g)
Poland-Consume 2 cups of milk daily.

-You can replace milk with yogurt, kefir, buttermilk, cottage cheese.

-Replace full-fat dairy products for low-fat (milk, yoghurt, kefir, buttermilk, cottage cheese), especially fermented. 

-Choose dairy products without added sugar.

-

Country

Quantitative recommendations

Qualitative recommendations

Portion size

Portugal2-3 servings of dairy 1 cup (250 ml) milk, 1 liquid yoghurt or 1.5 solid yoghurt (200 g), 2 thin slices of cheese (40 g), 1/4 fresh cheese - medium size (50 g), 1/2 curd - medium size (100 g)
Romania2-3 servings of fresh dairy productsPrefer low-fat products like skimmed milkA cup of milk or yoghurt, ½ cup cottage cheese, 50 g feta
Slovenia400-600 ml of milk or suitable substitutes daily

- Consume low-fat milk and dairy products.

- If you consume ready-made yogurts with fruit, choose the ones with as little added sugar as possible.

 
Note: 100 ml of milk contains about 120 mg of calcium, a similar amount is also in 15 g of hard or 30 g of soft cheese

Country

Quantitative recommendations

Qualitative recommendations

Portion size

Slovakia2 portions of milk or dairy products dailyIncrease intake of skimmed milk, low fat yoghurt and reduced fat cheese1 glass of milk (250 ml) or 1 yoghurt (150 ml) or 2 slices of cheese (50 g)
Finland5-6 dl of liquid milk products and 2-3 slices of cheese daily

- Prefer low-fat, select max. 1% fat content for milk, buttermilk, yoghurt, curdled milk.

- Use skimmed milk, skimmed buttermilk, non-flavoured or low sugar yoghurt.

- Max. 17% fat and preference to reduced salt content in cheese.

- If necessary can be replaced with V-derived drinks fortified with Ca and vitamin D, e.g. soy/oat drinks.

-
Sweden-

- Switch to low-fat dairy products.

- Choose low-fat, unsweetened products enriched with vitamin D.

- Look for the Keyhole symbol.

-
Note: Depending on what else you eat, cheese for example, 2-5 dl of milk or fermented milk a day is all you need to make sure you get enough calcium

Country

Quantitative recommendations

Qualitative recommendations

Portion size

United Kingdom-

- Have some dairy or dairy alternatives (such as soy drinks); choose lower fat, lower sugar and calcium-fortified options.

- Swap flavoured or corner-style yoghurts for low fat, lower sugar yoghurts, adding fresh fruit for variety.

-
Note: Butters and creams are not included in this group as they are high in saturated fat and so they fit into the ‘foods to eat less often and in small amounts’ section
Switzerland2-3 servings of dairy products daily. It can be achieved if you consume two portions on some days of the week and three portions on other days.

- Prefer dairy products without added sugar or other sweeteners such as plain yogurt or cottage cheese.

- For more variety in taste, you can mix them with herbs or fresh fruit.

- Those who consume little or no dairy products should ensure that their protein, calcium, iodine and B vitamins are met through other foods to cover their needs.

1 portion corresponds to 2 deciliters of milk or 150-200 grams of yogurt, quark, cottage cheese, blanc battu or 30 grams of semi-hard/hard cheese or 60 grams of soft cheese
Notes: Milk & dairy belong to “Pulses, eggs, meat and others” group
Iceland

- 2 glasses, dishes or cans of milk or dairy products a day or 500 ml.

- Cheese can partly substitute dairy products.

- One portion of dairy products equals 25 g of cheese.

- Use most often low fat, unsweetened or low sugary dairy products without artificial sweeteners.

- Limit the consumption of milk products that contain much of saturated fat such as whole milk, cream, fatty cheeses or butter.

- However, there is room for moderate consumption of fatter dairy products occasionally if the diet is otherwise in accordance with recommendations.

- Choose milk products with the Keyhole label if possible.

250 ml liquid dairy; 25 g cheese
Norway- 3 servings daily, equivalent to 5 dl milk or dairy products

- Choose milk and dairy products with low fat, salt and added sugar. 

- To help meet the need for iodine, two of the servings should be milk, sour milk or yogurt. 

- If milk and dairy products are not included in your diet, plant-based drinks can contribute many of the same nutrients. Choose those with added calcium, iodine, riboflavin and vitamin B12.

One portion may be:
- a glass of milk or fermented milk (1.5 - 2 dl)
- a small cup of yogurt (125-150 grams)
- two slices of cheese (20 grams)
- milk or yogurt (1.5 - 2 dl) for one portion of cereal/grain mixture
- 1 portion of oatmeal made with milk (1.5 - 2 dl)
- 100-160 grams of cottage cheese, quark, skyr or similar
Notes: Dairy products include among other milk, yogurt, quark, fermented milk, cheese, sour cream and cream. Look for products marked with the Keyhole.