Consumer Council conducted a test on the calcium contents in 19 dairy products and beverages, test results are now available in issue no.251 Consumer Report.

Consumers now seek a nutritious and healthy diet, a lot of food and beverages in the market therefore claim to have high calcium contents to satisfy consumers’ needs. There is currently no standard definition for the term ‘high calcium’ and consumers need to compare and choose according to the product labels. The Council took 19 dairy products from the market, including milk, yogurt, and cheese, to examine their calcium contents.

Test results show differences between the actual calcium levels and the levels stated on the labels of all 19 dairy samples, differences fall between less than or more than 5 to 10 percent. Calcium contents are not included on packages of two samples and therefore make comparison impossible.

Consumers are suggested to take calcium not only from dairy products but also from other foods, such as deep green vegetables, livers, and fishes (with bones). Meanwhile, adequate exercises and sunshine are necessary to turn the calcium taken in human body into Vitamin D, which helps to increase bone density and lowers the risk of osteoporosis.

Consumers can now check the test results in the latest issue of Consumer Report. The current issue also includes an article provided by Macau Breastfeeding Association on how to collect and store breast milk for infants. Other articles include news from global consumer organizations and latest activities of the Council.

Consumer Report is now available free of charge at the Consumer Council (Av. Horta e Costa, N.º 24-A, Edf. Cheung Heng, R/C), and the service counter of the Council at Macao SAR Government Service Centre (Rua Nova da Areia Preta, Nº52), Public Information Centre at Vicky Plaza, libraries and bookstores. Consumers may also access the magazine online on the Council’s official website (http://www.consumer.gov.mo). For enquiries, please call 8988 9315.