FDA proposes definition for whole grains
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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said on Wednesday it has formulated a new definition of whole grain that will make it easier for consumers to follow a healthy diet.
It is the first time the FDA has issued a specific definition for consumers and the food industry of what it considers to be whole grain.
FDA said whole grains include cereal grains such as barley, corn, rice, oats or wheat that consist of the intact, ground, cracked or flaked fruit of the grain. Products such as pizza crust could only be labeled as “whole grain” or “whole wheat” when the crust is made entirely from grain or wheat.
“The agency’s intent is to have this as guidance and to reflect our thinking about what constitutes whole grains,” said Barbara Schneeman, director of FDA’s office of nutritional products, labeling and dietary supplements.
“Using the term multi-grain or seven-grain doesn’t necessarily mean that a product contains whole grains,” she told reporters.
FDA said providing a standard definition would help consumers select whole-grain products that are consistent with dietary guidelines.
The popularity of whole grains has soared in recent years after scientific studies showed they may help prevent cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure and diabetes.
Currently, several cereal, bread and other food products are being touted as “good” or “excellent” sources of whole grains. FDA said such labels are meant only for nutritional content claims—such as a “good source” of calcium—where there are established standards.
FDA did not say whether food processors that market their products as whole grain will have to remove the claims.
The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) said the FDA was making progress toward discouraging those misleading statements.
“I don’t praise FDA that often, but in this case I think they made the right decision,” said Bonnie Liebman, director of nutrition for CSPI.
The food industry said the FDA’s proposal was a step in the right direction.
Stephanie Childs, spokeswoman for the Grocery Manufacturers Association, said the industry has been looking for guidance on what the FDA considered to be accurate whole-grain labeling.
“There have been some questions in terms of what we could say” is whole grains, said Childs. “Until today, there was no FDA definition for labeling statements.”
According to dietary guidelines released last year, Americans should eat at least three ounces of whole-grain cereals, breads, crackers, rice or pasta every day. A slice of bread or one cup of cereal is defined as an ounce.
A draft of FDA’s new whole-grain guidelines will be published in the Federal Register and open to public comment for 60 days.
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