WATSONVILLE, CA - Sweet, sweet vitamin D. It’s often associated with that big boiling star in the sky, but otherwise, sources of this immune booster are few and far between. But we’ve got friends in high places, because according to Monterey Mushrooms®, mushrooms are one of the only fruits or vegetables that naturally contains vitamin D. Working on nine farms across North America to provide fresh, locally-grown mushrooms to grocery stores, restaurants, food manufacturers, and institutions, the company has developed an innovative method to enhance its products with even more natural vitamin D.
“Vitamin D is critical to overall health and is a major contributor to the immune system,” said Lindsey Occhipinti, Marketing Manager. “Now, through exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light, Monterey Mushrooms can naturally increase the stable level of vitamin D within mushrooms to well above 50 percent of the FDA’s recommended daily value.”
Lindsey continued, explaining that there are two types of natural vitamin D: vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) found in mushrooms; and vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) from animal sources. Monterey Mushrooms exposes its products to a precise wavelength of UV light, converting the naturally-occuring previtamin D into vitamin D2. This photochemical process is similar to the process by which vitamin D3 is produced in human skin. This process is controlled with a specific time and intensity of light exposure in order to obtain ideal levels of vitamin D2 in the mushrooms.
“Unfortunately, dietary sources of vitamin D are limited to certain types of fish, animal livers, eggs, and fortified foods,” noted Lindsey. “Mushrooms are the only fruit or vegetable that naturally contains vitamin D. Until now, that has been at very low levels of less than 2 percent of the daily value per serving.”
Mushrooms specially labeled as being high in vitamin D are the only mushrooms that contain a significant level of vitamin D. Monterey Mushrooms’ high in vitamin D products are available to customers nationwide in 8-ounce and 16-ounce packages of sliced whites, sliced baby bellas, and whole portabella caps.
For those looking to bolster their produce aisle with a boost of vitamin D this flu season, be sure to check out Monterey Mushrooms’ line of vitamin D-enhanced products. Keep a tab open for us at AndNowUKnow as we uncover the most innovative initiatives in produce.
