Course:FNH200/Assignments/2023/Natrel Whole Milk vs Natrel Skim Milk

Briefly introduce your food products (Optional)

The product we selected and its low fat alternative are the Natrel whole milk and Natrel fat free skim milk. Despite the vitamin fortification of Vitamin A and D which does not constitute as a food additive in Canada, there are no fat substituents or additives added to the Natrel skim milk. Rather, achieving a fat free milk lies in its process of production which involves separation of milk and cream via use of a centrifuge, and then homogenization of the remaining fat molecules to get that consistent creamy texture that is seen in milk . As described below in depth, the nutritional makeup of both the whole milk and skim milk options are relatively similar despite the removal of 8g of fat and its subsequent calories making the skim milk option a great alternative for consumers who would benefit from a caloric restriction.

Natrel Whole Milk, Natrel Fat Free Skim Milk and Natrel 1% Dark Chocolate Milk

Natrel Organic Filtered 3.25% Milk

Natrel Organic 3.25% Milk Ingredients

Natrel Organic 3.25% Nutrition Facts

Natrel Organic Filtered Skim Milk

Natrel Skim Ingredients

Natrel Skim Nutrition Facts

Natrel 1% Dark Chocolate Milk

Natrel 1% Dark Chocolate Milk Nutrition Facts

Ingredients 1% Dark Chocolate Milk

Ingredient lists

Natrel Organic Filtered 3.25% Milk	Natrel Organic Filtered Skim Milk	Natrel 1% Dark Chocolate Milk
Whole Organic Milk	Organic Skim Milk	Partly Skimmed Milk
Vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol)	Vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol)	Sugar
	Vitamin A Palmitate	Cocoa
		Chocolate: - Chocolate Liquor - Cocoa Butter - Soy Lecithin
		Salt
		Natural Flavour
		Carrageenan
		Caramel
		Vitamin A Palmitate
		Vitamin D3

Roles of Additives

	3.25% Whole Milk	Fat Free Skim Milk	1% Dark Chocolate Milk
Sugar Substitutes	None	None	None
Fat Substitutes	None	None	None
Additives	None	None	- Soy Lecithin - Carrageenan

Role of Additives

Soy Lecithin: The major role of soy Lecithin in chocolate milk is an oil in water emulsifier which helps blend the cocoa powder and create a homogenous chocolate mixture . Soy Lecithin helps disperse the oil droplets from both the cocoa butter and the milk fat throughout the water which is the continuous phase. This specific type of lecithin is a phospholipid derived from soybeans and is commonly used in chocolate and chocolate beverages as a cheap and effective emulsifier.

Carrageenan: Carrageenan is a natural polysaccharide derived from red seaweed, used extensively in the food industry for its gelling, thickening, and stabilizing properties . While Carrageenan can also act as an emulsifier, its primary role in chocolate milk is a stabilizing agent . A stabilizing agent helps keep the cocoa particles in suspension of the water after they have been blended and mixed by the emulsifier. The additive helps to maintain and prolong this uniform distribution of oil and water particles to stop them from separating and therefore getting cream at the very top . The use of the additive has been controversial since some studies suggest it could promote: inflammation, bloating, IBS, food allergies, and even colon cancer . However, since these studies are very limited, Carrageenan is deemed safe to consume in Canada and has not been banned from its use as a thickening, stabilizing, and emulsifying agent.

Role of Vitamins

While Vitamins are not classified as additives under Canadian law, there are a few that are worthy of note when comparing and contrasting milks.

Vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol): Although Vitamin D is not naturally found in milk, it is frequently used by those within the dairy industry, and is even required for milk in Canada. Due to the extra calcium it provides, it works as a preventative measure against bone diseases and helps to ensure the health and overall strength of our bodies () . Vitamin D3 as opposed to Vitamin D2 (Ergocalciferol) has proven to have shown longer lasting impacts on Vitamin D levels, therefore it is the more popular choice.

Vitamin A Palmitate: Vitamin A Palmitate can be found in Whole Milk, but is often stripped from skim milk during the fat reduction and/or removal process () . As a vitamin, it supports eye health, as well as reproduction and cell growth, hence it is often required of milk companies to add it back into Fat Free milks through the process of fortification ().

Compare and Contrast

Nutrient	Natrel Organic Filtered 3.25% Milk (Per 250 ml serving)	Natrel Organic Filtered 0% Milk (Per 250 ml Serving)	Natrel 1% Dark Chocolate Milk
Calories	(150 calories)	Lower (90 calories)	Highest (190 Calories)
Lipids/Fat	(8 g)	Lower (0 g)	(3 g)
Carbohydrates	Similar (13 g)	Similar (12 g)	Highest (32 g)
Protein	Similar (9 g)	Similar 9 (g)	Slightly Lower (8 g)
Cholesterol	(25 mg)	Lower (5 mg)	(10 mg)
Sodium	(95 mg)	Higher (105 mg)	Highest (160 mg)
Potassium	(350 mg)	Similar (350 mg)	Highest (500 mg)
Calcium	(300 mg)	Similar (300 mg)	Lower (250 mg)
Iron	(0.1 mg)	Similar (0.1 mg)	(1.5 mg)

In addition to the above, Natrel Organic Filtered 0% Milk also contains: Vitamin A, Vitamin D, Thiamine, Riboflavin, Niacin, Folate, Vitamin B12, Pantothenate, Phosphorus, Magnesium, and Zinc. Natrel Organic Filtered 3.25% Milk does not have the above. Natrel Organic Filtered 0% Milk seems to have less calories related to differences such as lower fat content. Other macronutrient (protein and carbohydrate) content was similar. Other differences include Cholesterol and Sodium (above). Sodium difference is not too significant as there is a 1% Daily value difference between the two products. Cholesterol has a 20 mg difference as mentioned above. Micronutrients like Potassium, Calcium and Iron were the same between the two products.

Labels

	3.25% Whole Milk	Fat Free Skim Milk	Natrel 1% Dark Chocolate Milk
Bilingual labelling	Yes	Yes	Yes
Common name of the food	Yes	Yes	Yes
Date marking and storage instructions	Yes	Yes	Yes
Identity	Natrel	Natrel	Natrel
Principal Place of Business	Montreal, Quebec	Montreal, Quebec	Montreal, Quebec
Country of Origin	Canada	Canada	Canada
Irradiated foods	N/A	N/A	N/A
Legibility and location	No	No	No
List of ingredients	Yes	Yes	Yes
Nutrition Facts table	Yes	Yes	Yes
Net quantity of the food	Yes- 4 Litres	Yes- 4 Litres	Yes - 1 litre
Sweeteners	No	No
Allergens	Yes - Milk is a priority food allergen	Yes - Milk is a priority food allergen	Yes - Milk is a priority food allergen Soy Lecithin in people with allergies to Soy
Claims	N/A	N/A	N/A

References

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This Food Science resource was created by Course:FNH200.