Foods high in calcium can play an important role in supporting a balanced diet and maintaining normal bones and teeth. Calcium is an essential mineral that also contributes to various physiological functions in the human body.²
However, dietary calcium intake remains relatively low in many Asian populations, with a systematic review reporting average adult intake below 500 mg/day in many Asian countries.¹ Although intake varies between countries and population groups, inadequate calcium intake remains a relevant nutritional consideration in several Asian populations.¹ ²
What role can calcium-fortified foods play, and what should manufacturers consider when making calcium-related claims? Let’s take a closer look.
Dairy Products as a Source of Calcium
One factor that may contribute to relatively low calcium intake in some Asian populations is the consumption of milk and other dairy products. Dairy products are recognised as important dietary sources of calcium; however, their contribution to total calcium intake differs substantially among populations.³
Dietary habits, cultural practices, socioeconomic conditions, food preferences and individual tolerance to dairy products may influence the frequency and quantity of dairy consumption.³ Consequently, dairy foods may not be routinely consumed or may contribute only a limited proportion of total dietary calcium intake in certain populations.
Within this nutritional context, cheese and cheese-based products represent potential dietary sources of calcium.² However, the calcium content of cheese-based products can vary depending on the raw materials, formulation, processing conditions and manufacturing practices employed.²
Cheese Spread with Added Calcium
The incorporation of an additional calcium source into cheese spread can therefore be used to increase the calcium content of the finished product and enhance its nutritional profile.³
Cheese spread with added calcium is a dairy-based food product developed to provide an enhanced dietary source of calcium while maintaining the characteristic taste, texture, spreadability and functionality expected of a cheese spread.
The addition of calcium is intended to increase the nutritional contribution of the product and provide consumers with an additional source of this essential mineral as part of a balanced diet.³ Appropriate selection of the calcium source, together with adequate control of its concentration and distribution during manufacturing, is important to ensure that the intended calcium level is achieved consistently throughout the finished product.⁴
Why Calcium Analysis Matters for Food Claims
For manufacturers, increasing the calcium content of a food product is only one part of developing a calcium-fortified product. The nutritional characterisation of the finished product also requires reliable determination of its actual calcium concentration.
Therefore, quantitative analysis of calcium is an important component of the assessment of cheese spread with added calcium.⁴ The calcium assay provides objective analytical data that can be used to verify the calcium content of the finished product and determine whether the measured concentration is consistent with the declared nutritional value and established product specifications.⁴
Analytical determination can also contribute to quality control by providing evidence of consistency between production batches.
Calcium Health Claim Requirements Across Asia
To make a claim regarding calcium’s role in supporting strong bones, the relevant claim may be stated on the product packaging in accordance with the applicable requirements in each Asian market. The review indicates that regulatory requirements and permitted health claims vary across countries, with some jurisdictions imposing stricter requirements than neighboring countries.
