Foods that claim to contain whole grain should have at least 8g per serve from 2014 following the launch of a voluntary industry code of practice.
The Grains & Legumes Nutrition Council (GLNC), the independent authority for nutrition and health benefits of grains and legumes in Australia, developed the Code of Practice for Whole Grain Ingredient Content Claims.
The new industry standard, which is voluntary, seeks to address confusion amongst consumers about what constitutes a whole grain food. It sets a standard for labelling of whole grain foods, which can vary widely in whole grain content.
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.
GLNC managing director, Georgie Aley, said that under the new Code, consumers will begin to see consistent messages for the whole grain ingredient content of foods on food packaging and advertising.
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
- 24g of whole grain per serve to say a product is 'very high' in whole grain
