A growing concern regarding bone health in people of all ages has prompted the food industry to respond by adding calcium to foods and beverages. Recently, mostly dairy products touted calcium fortification, followed by beverages and snacks. Specific products include calcium-fortified hot and cold cereals, rice, granola bars, spreadable margarines, and chews. Calcium-containing beverages include fortified milk products, hot and cold drink mixes, orange juice, carbonated soft drinks, beer and even water.
Recently, researchers have been investigating a source of calcium called “milk calcium,” a concentrated source of calcium and other minerals derived from milk. Producing milk calcium, available as a fine powder in different granulations, involves extracting minerals directly from the whey stream. Besides calcium, it includes minerals important for bone growth such as phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, sodium, iron, and zinc.