Arla has carved itself an unusual niche market by going into orbit.

Astronauts on board the Discovery space shuttle are being supplied with the Danish producer's milk bites during their 13-day tour to the International Space Station this month.

The chocolate-covered calcium balls come in five flavours strawberry; strawberry & banana; raspberry; mocha; and raspberry & blueberry and have a two-year shelf life.

A special powdered milk has also been developed by Arla as part of its ongoing partnership with Nasa.