- Happy Valentines Day -

NUTRIENTS BY THE NUMBERS

What is Riboflavin (Vitamin B2)?

Let’s talk about Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), one of the new micronutrients displayed on some of our product Nutrition Fact Panels (NFPs).

Riboflavin, better known as Vitamin B2, is one of the eight essential B vitamins that your body needs, but cannot produce enough of on its own. This means we need to find it in the foods we eat.

The primary role of riboflavin is to help enzymes carry out chemical reactions, and is essential for metabolizing carbohydrates, fats, and proteins (1). In other words, riboflavin jump starts your metabolism and helps your body convert food into fuel.

What to look out for:

• Riboflavin is light-sensitive (2). This is why milk is often stored in opaque (not transparent) containers like our cartons, or in plastic bottles that have been treated to be UV-resistant and protect the delicate nature of the product (like those in our west coast line of bottled products).

  
  

• Riboflavin is often high in dairy products, eggs, and organ meats, but can be found in most plant and animal-derived foods. However, as a water-soluble vitamin, a lot of riboflavin gets lost when foods are boiled in water (3).

  
  

• Not only does our body not produce riboflavin, but it is also not great at storing it. If we consume too much in a short period, our body will remove the excess via our urine (often with a bright yellow hue) (4). Generally it is a good idea to seek out foods that offer it and space them out throughout the day (such as a serving of dairy with each meal).

The FDA defines a “GOOD” source as offering 10-20% of your recommended daily value of the nutrient, and a “RICH” source as offering 20% or more. Here’s how much is in each serving of our most popular products:

• 6% Whole Milk: 0.75 mg, 57% DV (recommended daily value)

• 4% Whole Milk: 0.53 mg, 40% DV

• Whole Kefir: 0.55 mg, 42% DV

• Lowfat Kefir: 0.5 mg, 38% DV

• 100% Grass-fed Milk: 0.69 mg, 63% DV

Sources:

1. Linus Pauling Institute, Micronutrient Information Center. https://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/vitamins/riboflavin

2. Harvard University, The Nutrition Source. https://ascpt.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/cts.12993

3. Agte V, Tarwadi K, Mengale S, Hinge A, Chiplonkar S. Vitamin profile of cooked foods: how healthy is the practice of ready-to-eat foods? Int J Food Sci Nutr. 2002 May;53(3):197-208. doi: 10.1080/09637480220132814. PMID: 11951583. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11951583/

4. Institute of Medicine. Food and Nutrition Board. Dietary Reference Intakes: Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, Vitamin B6, Folate, Vitamin B12, Pantothenic Acid, Biotin, and Choline. Washington, DC: National Academy Press; 1998.

RECIPE

Valentine’s Raspberry Dark Chocolate Yogurt Bark

Time: 30 minutes | Serves: 8

This Valentine’s Day, treat yourself (and someone you love) to a light and creamy frozen yogurt bark made with our A2/A2 Organic 100% Grass-fed Lowfat Yogurt, fresh raspberries, and a drizzle of dark chocolate. This recipe is simple, nourishing, and the perfect “something sweet”.

Town & Country Markets (T&C) is a family-owned, independent grocery chain that has been a staple of the Puget Sound region for over 65 years. Known for a "food-first" philosophy, they emphasize local sourcing, high-quality produce, and a community-centric shopping experience.

T&C is a family business, with the descendants of the original owners (John and Mo Nakata and Ed Loverich) guiding the company and working at various locations.

Rollin’ Oats is a premier locally-owned natural health food grocer and café that has been a fixture of the Tampa Bay community for over 30 years. Founded in 1994, it has built a reputation for making high-quality organic and natural products accessible through a unique everyday discount pricing model.

There are two locations: the original St. Petersburg flagship (founded in 1994) and a second location in South Tampa (opened in 2008).