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Yoplait Yogurt is the Only Leading Yogurt with Vitamin D and Calcium in Every Cup

New Report Doubles Amount of Vitamin D Recommended for Children and Adolescents

10/24/2008

The American Academy of Pediatrics’ (AAP) new recommendation to double the amount of vitamin D for children and adolescents * to help combat the re-emergence of rickets and provide other health benefits, reinforces the importance of including dairy foods in the diet. Along with milk and cheese, yogurt such as Yoplait® -- the only leading brand of yogurt with vitamin D and calcium in every cup -- provides a good way to help children and adults get the recommended amount of these two important bone nutrients.

“Yoplait yogurt is the only leading brand of yogurt fortified with vitamin D in every cup to provide an excellent source of both calcium and vitamin D in every 6 ounce cup,” said Suzanne Skapyak, Registered Dietitian and senior nutrition scientist at the General Mills Bell Institute of Health and Nutrition. “Based on the new recommendations, it is clear we need to do a better job of incorporating vitamin D into our children’s diets. Yoplait yogurt offers a large variety of flavors to help the whole family get adequate dairy and the recommended amounts of calcium and vitamin D important for bone health.”

Recent data shows adults are also falling short on nutrients important for bone health with 76 percent of the population not getting enough vitamin D and 72 percent not getting enough calcium in their daily diet.**,*** These statistics reinforce the need for more foods rich in calcium and vitamin D. The new announcement follows a 2006 AAP report which states that eating dairy foods such as milk, cheese and yogurt during childhood and adolescence can help build strong bones and reduce the risk of fractures and osteoporosis later in life.***

Calcium and vitamin D work together to build strong bones, with vitamin D aiding calcium absorption. Vitamin D also works in the kidneys to increase calcium re-sorption and limit urinary calcium loss.

Product Serving Size Vitamin D
(%DV)
Calcium
(%DV)
Yoplait Original 99% Fat Free Fruit
6 oz
20
20
Yoplait Light Fruit Flavors
6 oz
20
20
Yoplait Thick and Creamy
6 oz
20
30
Yoplait Light Thick and
Creamy Fruit Flavors
6 oz
20
20
Yoplait Whips! Flavors
4 oz
10
15
Yoplait Chocolate Whips!
4 oz
10
10
Yoplait Kids Yogurt
4 oz
10
20
Yoplait Yo-Plus Yogurt
4 oz
10
15
Yoplait FiberOne Yogurt
4 oz
15
10

About General Mills
One of the world's leading food companies, General Mills operates in over 100 countries and markets more than 100 consumer brands, including Cheerios, Haagen-Dazs, Nature Valley, Betty Crocker, Pillsbury, Green Giant, Old El Paso, Progresso, Cascadian Farm, Muir Glen, and more. Headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.A., General Mills had FY2008 global net sales of US $14.9 billion, including the company’s $1.2 billion proportionate share of joint venture net sales.

* American Academy of Pediatrics, Clinical Report “Prevention of Rickets and Vitamin D Deficiency in Infants, Children and Adolescents,” 2008
** National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2003-2004
*** American Academy of Pediatrics, Optimizing bone health and calcium intakes of infants, children, and adolescents, Pediatrics. 2006


Contact:
Katie Cinnamond
kcinnamond@coneinc.com
617-939-8336

Irma Koopersmith
ikoopersmith@coneinc.com
617-939-8456