Hemp Milk, a Dairy and Nut- and Grain-Based Drinks Alternative

14/12/06 Two new non-dairy beverages made with Canadian hemp seed are expected to launch in January 2007 and could help boost the growth of the hemp food market.

Living Harvest Hempmilk and Manitoba Harvest Hemp Bliss brand non-dairy milk are the latest entries in the continually growing hemp food market. Both brands come in Original, Vanilla and Chocolate flavors and will launch next month.

Never sold before commercially, hemp milk is high in protein like soy milk, but hemp does not contain the phytic acid and trypsin inhibitors that soy does. Hemp milk is a good source of balanced omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, unlike rice milk, and it also contains a wide range of naturally occuring vitamins and minerals, including vitamin E, folic acid, iron, niacin, magnesium, phosphorus, thiamin and zinc, according to Vote Hemp, the nation's largest grassroots organization working to allow American farmers to once again grow industrial hemp under state or federal guidelines.

Many see hemp milk as an alternative to nut- and grain-based beverages and dairy beverages. Grain-based beverages are often lacking in essential fatty acids, protein and minerals, unless they are fortified. Nut-based milks and dairy beverages are nutritionally better, but more and more people, especially children, are developing allergies to tree nuts and dairy products, the organization says.

"We wanted to offer a great-tasting, healthy product that we can feel good about giving our own kids," says Christina Volgyesi, president of Living Harvest. "As more and more consumers begin searching the shelves for alternative dairy products that are enjoyable to drink and contain unprocessed ingredients, we thought this was a perfect time to introduce a real essential and balanced nutritional beverage that the whole family can enjoy."

"Hemp side is nature's best and most-balanced source of omega-3 and omega-6 essential fatty acids, and that is fueling interest from nutrition experts, consumers, retailers and manufacturers," says Mike Fata, president and co-founder of Manitoba Harvest. In addition to its high concentration of essential fatty acids, hemp milk has a strong digestible protein profile, is a good source of iron and contains no trans fat.

Alexis Baden-Mayer, director of government affairs for Vote Hemp, says, "Despite the fact that no US farmer can grow industrial hemp due to federal restrictions, new and innovative hemp food products continue to be introduced to a waiting US marketplace. As the demand for hemp seed continues to rise with the introduction of new and innovative hemp food products, so will the pressure on state and federal officials to allow hemp farming. We are already seeing this kind of increased demand for change in a number of states including North Dakota, which is about to finalize new hemp farming rules."