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A: Our milk is naturally enriched by feeding our cows a high quality feed which includes an omega-3 rich fishmeal. However, because organic certification standards do not currently exist for ocean-based fish stocks we are unable to attain the necessary organic certification. So, while our Vitala products are not certified organic, we create all Vitala products based on our deeply-held principles of natural, healthy, and local. We work exclusively with local family farms whose standards we have come to know and trust over many years.

 

A:Vitala Products currently can be purchased at many grocery stores throughout the Lower Mainland and on Vancouver Island. For a complete stores listing, click here [needs to link to store locator]. If you can’t find it in your area, just ask your local retailer- why not.  (top of page)

 

A: All milk naturally contains CLA, but Vitala milk contains more than three times the typical level of CLA. Cows are fed a special diet containing flaxseed and other nutrients, which naturally enriches the CLA levels in the milk.

A: One of the best natural sources of DHA Omega 3 is in cold water fish; therefore the special diet that we feed our cows contains a sustainable and eco-friendly source of fishmeal. Incidentally, the fish meal also has health benefits for the cow. (top of page)

A: Since we are only adding nutrients to the cow’s feed, and not the milk itself, there is no difference in taste. In taste tests throughout the Lower Mainland, people have continually expressed that they preferred the taste of VitalaMilk to conventional milk usually commenting on its freshness.

A: The parent company of Vitala, Nutrifoods Solutions is guided by 3 main values:

A: When unsaturated fatty acids are consumed by a cow, they are normally biohydrogenated by microbes that inhabit the first two compartments of her stomach (reticulum and rumen). So, to enhance the level of unsaturated fatty acids (like DHA and EPA) in her milk, unsaturated fatty acids in the cow’s diet must be protected from biohydrogenation so they can enter her bloodstream unaltered. Protection is achieved using a proprietary process which restricts access by the microbes to the chemical bonds of the fatty acids, in much the same way that ‘enteric coated’ Aspirin is protected from rapid release in the stomach and small intestine. This allows those omega-3 fatty acids in the cow’s diet to be absorbed intact and flow through to the mammary gland where they are secreted into the milk. (top of page)

A: No, it does not. The reason for this is because the milk-fat in Vitala is what contains the healthy CLA + DHA Omega 3 fatty acids. DHA supports the normal development of brain, eyes and nerves. We recommend parents to offer 3% partly skimmed Vitala to young children to get the maximum CLA and DHA Omega-3 benefit from Vitala.

A: We initially chose glass because we feel it can add to the fresh taste of the milk because it stays cold longer. Additionally, when sustainable practices are exhibited the glass has much less environmental impact as the bottles can be recycled. 

A: In order to expand the availability of VitalaMilk and to offer it to those consumers who live outside of the Lower Mainland, we have made the decision to add an environmentally friendly TetraPak recyclable carton to our family of products. This carton boasts a long shelf-life and is able to be transported more easily for those consumers on Vancouver Island and in the interior. Additionally, there are some retailers who are not able to carry returnable glass-containers but wanted the opportunity to offer VitalaMilk to their consumers.

A: If you do some price shopping, you’ll find that Vitala is affordably priced below organic milk and slightly higher than conventional milk. We believe that Vitala is a convenient way to increase your intake of CLA + DHA Omega-3. Studies have shown that adults consume less than one third of the recommended daily intake of DHA Omega-3, and children on average consume only 19mg of DHA/day which is less than 15% of the DHA they need according to the National Institute of Health (NIH) recommendation of 150mg of DHA/day. (top of page)

 

Q: What about growth hormones? Are they in VitalaMilk?
A: All cows naturally have the hormone somatotropin in their bodies (as do humans). However there is also is a synthetic version of this hormone called recombinant bovine somatotropin (rBST). While rBST is allowed in countries such as the USA, it is not approved for use in Canada and therefore is not in VitalaMilk or in any other Canadian milk. For more information on growth hormones please visit the Health Canada website

 

 

A: The chickens feed includes a source of flaxseed plus a sustainable and eco-friendly source of fishmeal, to naturally enrich the eggs for omega-3 fatty acids.

A: The lutein is added to the eggs by feeding the hens a natural extract from marigolds, which contain high levels of lutein.

A: Because our nutrients are added naturally, there is no difference in taste between VitalaEggs and other brands – just the added goodness!

A: The parent company of Vitala, Nutrifoods Solutions is guided by 3 main values:

• Natural - Our chickens are offered the finest quality feed to naturally enrich the eggs with many nutrients
• Healthy – Our eggs contains many important nutrients including DHA Omega-3, lutein and selenium.
• Local - We work exclusively with local family farms whose standards we have come to know and trust
  
  We work hard to make sure our products exemplify these values.

 

A: Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) is a collective term used to describe a similar group of fatty acids that are naturally produced by ruminants. One of the best natural sources of CLA is milk fat from dairy products. Milk naturally contains high levels of a specific form of CLA known as rumenic acid. This configuration comprises 90% of the total CLA in milk and has many health benefits.

A: Research in animal studies show that CLA may play a role in the prevention of multiple types of cancer, including cancers of the breast, colon and prostate. It is the only natural fatty acid shown to protect against cancer at levels of 1% or less of the total dietary fat in animal studies - which speaks to its effectiveness in small concentrations. Animal studies also indicate that CLA consumption during puberty is associated with a reduced risk of cancer for the rest of the animal’s life.

A: Selenium is a trace mineral needed for many biological processes including antioxidant protection, immune function, reproduction and thyroid function. In addition, Selenium protects the body from the toxic heavy metals. (top of page)

A: Omega-3 refers to a group of fatty acids that all have a double bond three carbons away from the methyl end of the molecule, this group of fatty acids includes DHA (docosapentaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapetaenoic acid) and ALA (alpha-linolenic acid). Some, but not all, omega-3 fatty acids have identified health benefits.

A: Flax seed contains ALA and fish contains DHA and EPA. DHA is the Omega-3 fatty acid that is now widely recognized as an essential nutrient in the brain for normal functioning of neural tissue (cognitive performance learning ability, memory, etc.) and in the retina for visual ability. ALA is an omega-3 fatty acid found in walnuts, flaxseeds, other seed oil and many green leafy plants. Our bodies are able to convert small amounts (0-9 %) of dietary ALA in to DHA. Research indicates that all omega-3 fatty acids (EPA, DHA, ALA) are heart healthy, although the evidence is strongest for omega-3 fatty acids from fish (EPA and DHA).

A: Research indicates that consumption of DHA Omega-3 is linked to improved cognitive ability, vision, mental health, and cardiovascular health (for more information on DHA Omega-3 visit www.dhaomega3.org)

A: Yes, but have you tried getting your kids to eat one? We believe that functional foods like Vitala are an excellent and natural way to supplement children's diets with essential nutrients like DHA.

A: Only if you drink a lot of our milk! We recommend including VitalaEggs as part of your diet to ensure that you are receiving the daily recommended amount of DHA Omega-3. VitalaMilk should be considered as an important part of a well-balanced diet that includes other sources of omega-3 fatty acids.  (top of page)