Do you have a question about Silk Pure Coconut^™ coconutmilk? Select a topic and find answers. If you want to know more, email us. We're always interested in your feedback and opinions.

Allergies, Dietary Restrictions and Safety

Is Silk Pure Coconut coconutmilk okay for people with wheat and gluten allergies?

We do not make our products using wheat, wheat gluten, rye, oat, barley or malt ingredients. Our facilities do not handle or receive these ingredients in their operations so we would not expect the presence of them in our products. However, at this time we do not conduct the tests that would allow us to label our products as gluten-free. Anyone with severe allergies should always consult a doctor before introducing a new food.

Can I drink Silk Pure Coconut coconutmilk products if I am allergic to dairy?

All Silk Pure Coconut coconutmilk products are dairy-free, lactose-free and casein-free, and can be suitable for people with dairy allergies. A dairy allergy is an extreme sensitivity to the proteins in dairy products and should not be confused with lactose intolerance. Dairy allergies can range from mild indigestion to anaphylaxis, which is an acute reaction. Lactose intolerance is difficulty digesting the naturally occurring sugar in milk, which can cause stomach discomfort. We have extensive testing protocols in place at our facilities to detect and prevent contamination by dairy components. Anyone with severe allergies should always consult a doctor before introducing a new food.

Can I drink Silk Pure Coconut coconutmilk products if I am lactose intolerant?

Absolutely, because all Silk products are naturally lactose-free.

Can people who are allergic to nuts other than coconut drink Silk Pure Coconut coconutmilk?

We do not make our products using any other nuts. Because Silk Pure Coconut coconutmilk may be processed on equipment that also makes our Silk Pure Almond almondmilk, we have included a note on the label that it may contain almonds. Consumer safety is our highest priority. To help ensure against the risk of unintentional contamination, complete allergen cleanup procedures are standard in our facilities. We have testing protocols in place and we utilize hardware and software to prevent ingredient commingling. Anyone with severe allergies should always consult a doctor before introducing a new food.

Can Silk Pure Coconut coconutmilk be used as infant formula?

No, it is not designed for the replacement of breast milk or infant formula.

Can children consume Silk Pure Coconut coconutmilk?

We recommend checking with your pediatrician about the best diet for your child.

Can pregnant women consume Silk Pure Coconut coconutmilk?

If you are pregnant or nursing, it is best to discuss any food and nutrition questions with your doctor.

Nutrition

What are the nutritional benefits of Silk Pure Coconut coconutmilk?

Silk Pure Coconut coconutmilk is a refreshing, delicious and versatile choice for a healthy lifestyle.

We've fortified our coconutmilk so that it contains 450 mg of calcium per 8-ounce serving, which provides 50% more calcium than a glass of dairy milk.¹
Silk Pure Coconut Original coconutmilk contains 80 calories per 8-ounce serving and Vanilla contains 90.
Our coconutmilk provides as much vitamin D as dairy milk-25% of the recommended daily value.²
Silk Pure Coconut coconutmilk is an excellent source of vitamin B12, supplying 50% of the recommended daily value in an 8-ounce serving.
Our coconutmilk is cholesterol-free, soy-free, dairy-free, lactose-free and completely vegan.

How much fat does Silk Pure Coconut coconutmilk contain?

An 8-ounce serving of Original or Vanilla has 5 grams of fat, the same amount of total fat you would find in a serving of typical 2% dairy milk. There are no trans fats in either flavor of Silk Pure Coconut coconutmilk.

Is the fat in Silk Pure Coconut coconutmilk saturated fat?

Yes. The saturated fat in Silk Pure Coconut coconutmilk is naturally derived from the coconut. An 8-ounce serving provides 5 grams of saturated fat, the same amount of saturated fat found in an 8-ounce serving of typical whole milk. However, while most dairy milk contains cholesterol, our coconutmilk does not. It is also important to note that the saturated fat found in our coconutmilk is different from animal-based saturated fat. Coconuts are rich in MCFAs, or medium-chain fatty acids, special fats that are more easily burned as energy than other fats.³

What are MCFAs and how are they better than other fats?

A majority of the saturated fat in Silk Pure Coconut coconutmilk (3.2 grams) is in the form of medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs), which have 6 to 12 carbon atoms. Long-chain fatty acids (LCFAs) are found in meat and dairy products and contain 12 to 22+ carbon atoms. MCFAs are more quickly metabolized by the liver, and some studies suggest that they are less likely to be stored as fat and contribute to heart disease compared to LCFAs.^4-5

Ingredients and Processing

Is Silk Pure Coconut coconutmilk natural?

Yes. It is produced without artificial ingredients and meets the same high standards of quality and integrity as the rest of the Silk product line. We keep processing to a minimum, beginning with all natural coconuts. Then we blend in filtered water, natural sweetener, natural flavorings, vitamins and minerals. In addition, Silk Pure Coconut coconutmilk is enrolled in the Non-GMO Project, the nation's first system designed to test whether a product's ingredients have met defined standards for the absence of genetically modified organisms, or GMOs.

What are GMOs?

Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) have been created using the gene-splicing techniques of biotechnology (also called genetic engineering, or GE). This relatively new science allows DNA from one species to be injected into another species in a laboratory, creating combinations that do not occur in nature or through traditional crossbreeding methods.

What is the Non-GMO Project?

The Non-GMO Project is a nonprofit collaboration of stakeholders in the natural products industry-including manufacturers, retailers, farmers and consumers—dedicated to the shared mission of ensuring the availability of non-GMO food and beverage choices. Many of the individuals and businesses leading the way are the same ones responsible for creating the original organic standards.

What's the difference between coconutmilk and coconut water?

Silk Pure Coconut coconutmilk begins with all natural coconut cream extracted from non-GMO coconuts. Then we blend in filtered water, natural sweetener, natural flavoring, vitamins and minerals. It is a great dairy alternative, with 50% more calcium than typical dairy milk and just as much Vitamin D.⁶ Coconut water is a clear liquid found in young coconuts that is not considered a dairy alternative.

Is Silk Pure Coconut coconutmilk pasteurized?

Yes, we use ultra-high temperature (UHT) pasteurization to ensure that all of our products are free of harmful microorganisms.

Does Silk Pure Coconut coconutmilk contain caffeine?

No, it does not.

Does Silk Pure Coconut coconutmilk contain any animal products or by-products?

There are no animal products, by-products or derivatives in our products, making them completely vegan. All vitamins used to fortify Silk products are vegetable-derived. The source for the calcium in Silk Pure Coconut coconutmilk is natural limestone.

How is Silk Pure Coconut coconutmilk sweetened?

Both Original and Vanilla are sweetened with all natural evaporated cane juice, which is produced by pressing the juice out of sugar cane stalks. The juice is evaporated to form sugar crystals, which are then milled once to give them an even texture. Evaporated cane juice requires less processing than refined sugar.

Does Silk Pure Coconut coconutmilk contain almonds?

We do not make Silk Pure Coconut coconutmilk using almonds as an ingredient. We note on the label that it may contain almonds because Silk Pure Coconut coconutmilk may be processed in a facility that also makes our Silk Pure Almond almondmilk. Consumer safety is our highest priority. To help ensure against the risk of unintentional contamination, complete allergen cleanup procedures are standard in our facilities. We have testing protocols in place and we utilize hardware and software to prevent ingredient commingling. Anyone with severe allergies should always consult a doctor before introducing a new food.

Are Silk Pure Coconut coconutmilk products kosher?

Silk Pure Coconut coconutmilk products are certified Kosher OU-D. This means that our dairy-free products may have been processed on equipment also used for dairy but does not indicate the presence of dairy components in the products. We have extensive protocols in place at our facilities to detect and prevent contamination by dairy components.

Freshness, Storage and Packaging

How long will refrigerated Silk Pure Coconut coconutmilk products stay fresh?

Unopened Silk Pure Coconut coconutmilk will keep fresh in your refrigerator until the date stamped on the top of the carton. Once opened, it should be kept refrigerated and consumed within seven to ten days. It is not unusual for our coconutmilk to remain good past the ten-day mark; however, we only guarantee that it will be good for seven to ten days once opened.

Can I freeze Silk Pure Coconut coconutmilk?

We do not recommend freezing Silk Pure Coconut coconutmilk for storage. Although freezing does not affect the safety or nutritional value of the product, Silk Pure Coconut coconutmilk changes in texture dramatically when it is thawed. Our coconutmilk does perform well in frozen-dessert recipes such as coconutmilk ice cream.

Are the cartons recyclable?

The availability of recycling facilities to process our half gallon cartons varies from one community to another. If our packages are not being recycled in your community, we urge you to encourage your local recycling center to expand their efforts.

References

¹Typical dairy milk contains 30% DV of calcium; Silk Pure Coconutmilk contains 45% DV of calcium. Dairy data sourced from USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, Release 23 (2010).
²Vitamin D based on national market data for typical 2% milk. Data consistent for typical 2% dairy milk.
³St. Onge, M, Jones, PH. J Nutr 2002; 132: 329-332.
⁴St. Onge, M, Am J Clin Nutr 2008; 87: 621-6.
⁵Hu F et al, Am J Clin Nutr 1999; 70: 1001-8.
⁶Typical dairy milk contains 30% DV of calcium; Silk Pure Coconutmilk contains 45% DV of calcium. Dairy data sourced from USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, Release 23 (2010). Vitamin D based on national market data for typical 2% dairy milk. Data consistent for typical 2% dairy milk.