Over just a few generations, the way we live has changed at a phenomenal rate. Our daily lives, shaped by technological advancements and the rise of convenience culture, look vastly different from those of our parents or grandparents. Whilst these changes have brought many benefits, such as our unprecedented access to information, global connectivity, and an extraordinary range of food at our fingertips, they also come with downsides. One of the biggest drawbacks is the decline in the quality of our diets, particularly in our intake of essential nutrients like calcium. This has led to a significant increase in calcium deficiency, with around half the global population estimated to have insufficient access to dietary calcium.
Konstantinos Vogiatzoglou, Food Applications Specialist Consumer Solutions at Omya, is not surprised that calcium deficiency is on the rise: “Fifty years ago, diets were based on fresh, whole foods, usually grown locally and eaten in season. People drank milk and ate cheese or butter, and leafy greens were often on the table. Modern diets, on the other hand, include a lot of processed and convenience foods, which may be higher in calories but are lower in nutrients, including naturally occurring calcium. On top of that, the increase in alternative diets, such as plant-based or vegan ones, means some people avoid dairy without replacing it with other calcium sources.”
Calcium plays a critical role in maintaining bone density, nerve function, and heart health. Widespread calcium deficiency is now contributing to a rise in preventable health conditions, such as osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease and even rickets. The issues caused by low dietary calcium are also exacerbated by lifestyle changes. Reduced physical activity and less exposure to sunlight limit the production of Vitamin D, which is essential for calcium absorption.
Calcium Carbonate: The preferred choice for food fortification
Addressing global calcium deficiency is essential to curbing the long-term effects on population health, particularly as rates of deficiency-related bone diseases continue to rise. The solution that has been adopted across the world is the fortification of staple foods such as bread, breakfast cereals, and snack bars to provide sufficient calcium without the need to change dietary habits. For those with higher calcium needs, meal replacement drinks and protein powders are fortified, as are many plant-based drinks and infant formula.
Calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) has emerged as a preferred calcium source in the food industry due to its versatility and effectiveness. Used across a range of applications including dairy, non-dairy, bakery, and functional products, calcium carbonate offers high elemental calcium content, providing an efficient way to boost calcium levels without altering taste or texture.
Mr. Vogiatzoglou explains the benefits of fortifying with calcium carbonate: “Calcium carbonate is a natural mineral with a neutral taste profile, that doesn’t affect the properties of food or its mouthfeel. It can be integrated smoothly into fortified foods and fits perfectly with increasing consumer demand for clean-label, natural ingredients. This makes it an ideal choice to increase calcium intake in many food applications, although it’s important to remember that not all calcium carbonate is the same. Some sources may affect the quality and the shelf life, so manufacturers need to make sure they are choosing the purest materials from highest quality sources.”
The purest natural source of calcium
Omya is a leading worldwide producer of calcium carbonate. Its food grade calcium carbonate is derived from the purest sources of marble and limestone and has the highest elemental calcium at 40%. Konstantinos says there are other advantages of working with a global player, “Food manufacturers are looking for consistent quality, purity, and cost effectiveness all over the world. Omya’s global footprint gives us access to the highest quality mineral sources, as well as state of the art production plants in every region, so we can guarantee supply at a cost-effective rate wherever our customers are. For compatibility with different applications, we offer a range of particle sizes as well as tailored functional products that add value to our customers’ products.”
Food fortification is a cost-effective way to improve public health. Nutrient-rich products like fresh produce, dairy, and whole grains can be expensive and inaccessible to some, so the fortification of staples such as bread and cereals means that even those with limited access to fresh food will receive essential nutrients. As Mr. Vogiatzoglou concludes, “Calcium carbonate is a natural, sustainable way to add calcium to people’s diets. It’s easy to use, quick to absorb, and solves a growing worldwide problem.”
To find out more about Omya’s food-grade calcium carbonates, click here.