One Serving of Silk® to Have Fifty Percent More Calcium Than Milk

BROOMFIELD, Colo., Sept. 20, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Calcium is labeled as a "nutrient of concern" by the 2010 Dietary Guidelines since consumers do not get enough of this essential nutrient. Knowing that the general consumer is not meeting their calcium needs, Silk® has just announced that it has increased the calcium level in its natural refrigerated soymilk products to 50 percent more than typical dairy milk(1), which is consistent with its Pure Almond and Pure Coconut products. Silk soymilk products continue to be made from the highest-quality, non-GMO soybeans sourced from North American farmers, now with the added benefit of 50 percent more calcium in every glass.

Just in time for the fall harvest, Silk has teamed up with Kathy Freston to spread the word about the importance of eating a plant-based, nutrient-rich diet. Freston is a bestselling author with a focus on healthy living and conscious eating.

"Calcium is a nutrient that so many people do not get enough of, which is concerning since it provides many important health benefits," said Freston. "Now that Silk's soymilk line contains 50 percent more calcium than typical dairy milk it is an easy and delicious way to help people meet their daily calcium requirements while getting all of the benefits of plant-based nutrition contained in every glass of Silk to boot."

With harvest season upon us, Freston recommends adding additional foods to diets that provide both a boost of calcium and the benefits of plant-based nutrition. These seasonal foods include collard greens, spinach, mustard greens, kale, rutabagas and dried figs.

Plant-based milk alternatives like Silk soymilk, almondmilk and coconutmilk are not only excellent sources of calcium, but also Vitamin D.  Each 8-ounce serving contains 45 percent of the daily recommended value of calcium and at least 25 percent of the daily recommended value of Vitamin D.  Together, these nutrients form an essential pair as Vitamin D helps calcium to be absorbed in the body. Clinical evidence confirms that calcium and Vitamin D play an important, beneficial role in building and maintaining bone health throughout life.(2) Since there are few natural food sources of Vitamin D, fortified foods serve an important role in helping people meet their needs.

Packaging has been updated on Silk natural refrigerated soymilk cartons – which include vanilla, chocolate, very vanilla and original flavors – to show that they contain "50 percent more calcium than milk." While the Silk Organic products will not have increased calcium levels, one glass of Silk Organic soymilk will continue to provide as much calcium as typical dairy milk.

1) Silk refrigerated beverages, excluding organic soymilk, soymilk with DHA and aseptic soymilk, have 45% DV of calcium; dairy milk has 30% DV.  Dairy data from USDA National Nutrient Database for Standards Reference.  Release 23 (2010).  Data consistent with typical 2% milk.  

2) U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Food labeling: health claims; calcium and osteoporosis, and calcium, vitamin D, and osteoporosis. http://www.fda.gov/Food/LabelingNutrition/LabelClaims/ HealthClaimsMeetingSignificantScientificAgreementSSA/default.htm, accessed September 12, 2011.

ABOUT SILK

Silk was founded in 1996 on a promise to make the world a healthier place. We believe that plant-based foods are the best way to nourish people and the planet and today we offer a broad portfolio of nutritious, great-tasting milk-alternatives, including Silk® Soymilk, Silk PureAlmond™ and Silk PureCoconut™.  All of our plant-based beverages have been verified as non-GMO by the Non-GMO Project, a non-profit organization dedicated to ensuring the sustained availability of non-GMO food and beverages. Silk is also committed to making the world a healthier place through socially responsible and environmentally sustainable business practices, such as our Responsible Soybean Sourcing & Production Program, our traceability website (www.silksoymilk.com/traceit/) and our legacy of using and championing renewable energy. For more information, visit www.silksoymilk.com, www.silkpurealmond.com, www.silkpurecoconut.com, Facebook.com/SilkUS or follow us on Twitter @LoveMySilk.

SOURCE Silk