Canadian dairy company Natrel yesterday announced it is launching Natrel Omega-3, a new variety of enriched milk beverage designed to contribute to a healthy diet and help in the prevention of certain illnesses, such as cardiovascular disease.
Omega-3s are essential fatty acids that the human body is unable to produce on its own and so need to be incorporated into the daily diet. Foods naturally containing omega-3 include fatty fish such as mackerel, herring, salmon, tuna and sardines, as well as certain oils such as flaxseed, and, to a lesser extent, canola and soya oils.
Monique Raymond, head of product development at Natrel explained however that the Quebec population does not consume much fish, which may explain in part why their intake of omega-3 averages only about 0.17 grams per day, compared to the daily intake recommended by Health Canada of between 1 and 1.5 grams per day.
"In response to this particular consumers' need, we have decided to create Natrel Omega-3 using a special technology that enables us to add omega-3 to 1 per cent milk and still be able to preserve its naturally good milk taste."
Marthe Côté-Brouillette, a nutritionist-consultant who is a consultant for Natrel, notes that the intake of essential fatty acids, such as omega-3, is indispensable to a person's diet. A deficiency in essential fatty acids can be as damaging for a healthy heart as a diet regimen that is overly high in saturated and trans fats.
"In fact, most scientific research affirms that omega-3 fatty acids can help in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases by promoting a reduction of the levels of cholesterol and blood triglycerides and by preventing the build-up of blood platelets," added Côté-Brouillette. "Omega-3 fatty acids are also essential in a child's brain and visual development. There is a direct correlation between the intake of omega-3 and mental functions."
Available in stores in one- and two-litre sizes at the end of September, Raymond said she expected the arrival of this product on the market to reinforces Natrel's leadership role in the field of functional foods. Natrel also produces calcium-enriched milk and lactose-free milk.
One of the major players in Canadian industry and the leader in the fluid milk sector in Quebec, Longueuil-based Natrel is a growing national company with operations mainly in Quebec, as well as in Ontario and British Columbia. It has 1,550 employees and produces 800 million litres of milk a year.