Milling & Baking News - August 26, 2008 - 24

Food Ingredient Solutions

INNOPHOS

healthy participants with an average
age of 61 years. The study results
showed calcium supplements taken
over a 4-year period reduced the risk
of fracture by 72%. The N.O.F. recommends people under age 50 consume at least 1,000 mg of calcium per

on the label under normal usage.

crackers, bagels, pasta, pretzels and
tortillas are sources of folic acid.
"Folic acid is the most important
vitamin women can take to help prevent serious birth defects of the brain
and spine, and it is most important
that they start taking it before they get
pregnant and continue to take it after,"
said Jennifer L. Howse, Ph.D., president of the March of Dimes.
Export markets are showing an interest in folic acid, Mr. Clark of Research
Products said. The governments of Australia and England both generally do not
require fortification of flour, but they are
considering folic acid and iron fortification. Research Products is increasing its
international business as countries that
were in the former Soviet Union, Middle Eastern countries and some African
countries seek to fortify flour.
Value-added products may be an avenue for fortification growth in the domestic market, Mr. Clark added. Clinical studies have proven the benefits of
vitamins and minerals in heart health,
memory and immunity.
Like folic acid, choline promotes
development of the fetal nervous
system, according to Balchem Corp.,
New Hampton, N.Y. The company set
up a web site, www.memorc.com, to
explain the benefits of adding choline
to foods. The reduction of cardiovascular disease risk and the promotion
of healthy liver function are two other
health benefits of choline.
Adding 55 mg per serving allows

The word on folic acid
This year marks the 10-year anniversary of mandatory folic acid fortification in enriched flour in the United
States. Neural tube defects, including
spina bifida, declined by 26% during those 10 years,
but surveys show
people still need to
hear about folic acid
fortification in enriched flour.
A
March
of
Dimes/Gallup survey revealed only
12% of women ages
18 to 45 know folic acid should be
consumed prior to
pregnancy.
Also,
ᮡ Leavening agents may be fortified with calcium.
only 12% of womday, while people age 50 and over en perceive enriched white bread as
having high levels of folic acid, even
consume 1,200 mg.
U.S. sales of food and beverage though it has twice as much folic acid
products with a calcium presence as whole wheat bread.
To increase this awareness, the
claim on the package reached $9.4 billion for the 52 weeks ended April 19, March of Dimes and the Grain Foods
up 3% from the previous 52-week pe- Foundation created a Folic Acid for a
riod and up 10% from four years ago, Healthy Pregnancy seal to be featured
according to The Nielson Co., New on select products at the retail level.
York. The sales covered U.S. food, The March of Dimes urges all women
drug and mass merchandiser stores, of child-bearing age to consume 400
mcg of folic acid daily, beginning beexcluding Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
According to "2008 Food & Health fore conception and continuing into
Survey: Consumer Attitudes toward the early months of pregnancy. Bread,
Food, Nutrition & Health," 26% of
consumers check for calcium on the
Nutrition Facts Panel. Cogent Research, Cambridge, Mass., conducted
the Internet-based study in partnership with the International Food Information Council Foundation.
Dr. Jones said grain-based food
formulators may want to consider
adding calcium to their whole grain
products. Calcium, when it enters the body, may have a negative
effect on zinc and magnesium.
Whole grains may counteract this
effect because they include zinc and
LAL
LEM
magnesium.
AND
, IN
Calcium-fortified leavening agents
C.
are on the market. Levona (calcium
pyrophosphate) from ICL Performance
Products, St. Louis, is a source of calcium that does not contribute sodium.
Cal-Rise from Innophos, Cranbury, N.J.,
contains 18% calcium, which should al- ᮡ Bakers' yeast naturally contains vitamin D2.
low for a good source of calcium claim

24 / August 26, 2008

Milling & Baking News

bakingbusiness.com / world-grain.com

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Milling & Baking News - August 26, 2008

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