Jakarta. President-Elect Prabowo Subianto is reportedly mulling using the so-called “fish mik” instead of an actual cow’s milk for his upcoming program of feeding Indonesia’s school children free lunches.

The news immediately sparked reactions. “Fish milk” refers to a food product processed from fish protein. Puji Lestari, an agricultural expert at the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), said the product had its health benefits over actual cow’s milk. In other words, there should be no problem with using fish milk for the program aimed at cutting down the country’s stunting rate.

“[‘Fish milk’] is safe for lactose intolerant people because fish does not have lactose,” Puji said, as reported by news agency Antara on Wednesday.

According to Puji, “fish milk” has both essential and nonessential amino acids, as well as peptides that are great for the body’s immunity. Fish milk is easy on the digestive system. If made from fatty fish, the fish milk will have omega-3. 

“I do admit that the term ‘milk’ might not be right. But considering its health benefits and its enormous potential to be developed in Indonesia as a maritime country, this product can be a diversification of protein-rich products to replace cow's milk,” Puji said.

Puji added: “Especially since we still cannot produce enough cow’s milk domestically.”