Goodman Fielder, Sanitarium and Bakers Delight have become the first registered users of the voluntary code for whole grain ingredient content claims.
The code, which was developed by The Grains & Legumes Nutrition Council (GLNC), sets a standard for labelling of whole grain foods, which can vary widely in whole grain content.
Launched in July, the code seeks to bring greater clarity for consumers about the content of foods labelled as whole grain. Content claim levels for the code are based on a contribution to 48 gram whole grain Daily Target Intake (DTI) and fit with the Australian Dietary Guidelines.
The code has three levels: 8g of whole grain per serve minimum to say a product 'contains' whole grains; 16g of whole grain per serve to say a product is ‘high' in whole grain; and 24g of whole grain per serve to say a product is 'very high' in whole grain.
The hope is that manufacturers start to use that on packs so that consumers begin to understand how to meet a 48g a day goal.
All three manufacturers have chosen to use the whole grain DTI statement. Goodman Fielder and Bakers Delight will use both the DTI statement and content claims, with Goodman Fielder using them on pack, initially on Helga’s bread products.
Sanitarium will use the DTI statement across its Weet-Bix range from 2014.
Kinda Grange, Goodman Fielder marketing director for baking, said the code was an important step towards helping people make better food choices.
“Goodman Fielder’s sign-up to the Code, initially with Helga’s Continental Bakehouse range, will give consumers greater clarity about the whole grain content of the bread they’re buying," she said.
“The whole grain ingredient content claims are an important communication tool that now appears on pack for Helga’s, helping consumers who are looking for healthier bread choices.”
Helga’s products will also be listed with the DTI statement, which provides extra information on how much one serve contributes to the 48 gram DTI, according to Grange.
“The whole grain Daily Target Intake statement helps consumers understand how the claim fits with the 48 gram daily target,” she said.
GLNC managing director Georgie Aley said that the sign-ups were a big win for public health, for brands and for consumers.
“GLNC congratulates Goodman Fielder, Sanitarium and Bakers Delight on their adoption of industry best practice by becoming the first three core grain food registered users of the code. Wide adoption of the code is essential to helping Australians compare products and choose foods that will help them meet the whole grain DTI.
“As one of Australia’s biggest manufacturers of grain foods, including Helga’s grain bread, Goodman Fielder’s registration to use the code on pack will pave the way for other major manufacturers to follow their lead,” Aley said.
Whole grain foods can vary widely in whole grain content.
