Analytical Report - Calcium claims

Many foods, especially those with a dairy component, claim to be "high in calcium", or "a good source of calcium", or "enriched with calcium". Forty two samples of foods making calcium claims were tested. The products sampled showed that many kinds of food are being supplemented with calcium and marketed to consumers on the basis of their calcium content. Whole grain products are supplemented to bring the calcium content up to a level comparable with flour, which is by law enriched with calcium, soya based products to bring them into line with milk and dairy products and slimming products to counter the effects of dieting on the intake of calcium.

Calcium is an essential nutrient for bones and teeth. However, probably less than half of the calcium that is eaten is actually incorporated in the body. This proportion will depend not only on the chemical form that the calcium is in, but also on what is eaten with it. For instance, phosphate (present for example in some carbonated beverages) reacts with calcium, and this will reduce its absorption. On the other hand, fibre and Vitamin D enhance absorption. Calcium supplementation is in general beneficial, especially for pregnant and lactating women, but excess can lead to kidney stones and, very occasionally, to milk - alkali syndrome, MAS. This is only seen in individuals who consume large quantities of calcium and alkali, such as antacid tablets, calcium supplements and milk.

Osteoporosis, where the bones become porous make them more fragile, increases the chance of broken bones. Healthy bones need a well-balanced diet, incorporating minerals and vitamins from different food groups.

You especially need to ensure that your diet is rich in calcium. The best sources of calcium are milk and dairy products such as cheese and yogurt. Non-dairy sources of calcium include green leafy vegetables, baked beans, bony fish and dried fruit.

Summary of Results

Some of the soya-based drinks require shaking before use and instructions to this effect were provided on the relevant product labels. The calcium settles out and therefore remains at the bottom of the container. Analysis indicated that if a consumer did not shake the container and did not consume all the contents then the intake of calcium is less than stated on the label.

Some products made rather difficult claims to quantify such as "as much calcium as a glass of milk". This raises the question, how large is the glass? In these cases consumers need to look at the nutrition panel to see how much calcium is in the product and decide how much volume they need to drink to attain the level of calcium claimed.

For further details on osteoporosis visit the website of the National Osteoporosis Society.

Report Date: August 2004