The Grains and Legumes Nutrition Council (GLNC) has presented the latest grain labelling updates in a bid to minimise confusion among Australian consumers.
The Code of Practice for Whole Grain Ingredient Content Claims (the code) was developed through consultation with the food industry, public health officials, and the nutrition research community.
Chris Cashman, code and nutrition program manager, GLNC, said uptake of the code to date will help ensure Australians can identify which foods contain a significant or higher amount of whole grain, while also providing manufacturers with a point of difference for their whole grain products.
“Consumers are being provided with more consistent descriptions on foods via the use of the whole grain claim levels, the whole grain daily target intake statement, and factual statements about the whole grain content of foods aligned with the code on pack, and in product promotions. This allows them to seek out foods higher in whole grain.”
According to GLNC 2014 Australian Grains & Legumes Consumption & Attitudinal Study, which canvassed the habits of more than 3,000 Australians, the majority of people aren’t incorporating enough whole grains into their diets.
“The results of this study reinforces the need for greater awareness of the nutritional benefits of whole grains accompanied with a widely adopted industry standard to help people better understand the whole grain content in foods and, ultimately, make better food choices when filling their supermarket trolleys, Cashman said.
The briefing event brought together delegates from the food industry, including representatives from 15 companies including Goodman Fielder, Sanitarium, George Weston Foods, Nestle, Simplot, Cereal Partners Worldwide, and Bakers Delight, who have all signed up to implement the code.
The full code of practice is avaiable at www.glnc.org.au.
