CONTACT: Tom Johnson 612-540-2531
Whole Grain Health Claim
FACT SHEET
Overview:
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized a new health claim that will help consumers easily identify whole grain foods. The claim will allow manufacturers to educate the public through food labeling about the specific health benefits of whole grains. While separate health claims for fruits and vegetables cite protection against heart disease and cancer, this is the first authorized health claim that specifies whole grain foods in the fight against both chronic diseases in a single health claim.
Approved Statement:
Diets rich in whole grain foods and other plant foods and low in total fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol may reduce the risk of heart disease and certain cancers.
Food Qualifications:
To make this health claim, foods must contain 51 percent or more whole grain ingredients by weight. The first ingredient of the food should be a whole grain, such as "whole wheat" or "whole grain wheat" and "whole grain oats." This definition also ensures that the food provides a minimum of 16 grams of whole grain. Products making the claim must also be low in fat (3 grams of fat per serving).
Qualifying General Mills Cereals:
Cheerios, Wheaties, Total, Wheat Chex, Crispy Wheaties and Raisins, Oatmeal Crisp, Multigrain Cheerios Plus
Cheerios:
Cheerios is the number-one ready-to-eat whole grain oat cereal in the world. Cheerios was called "Cheeri Oats" when General Mills first invented it in 1941 to provide a more convenient and better tasting alternative to cooked oatmeal.
Wheaties:
The 75-year-old Wheaties breakfast cereal is America's first ever whole-wheat flaked cereal and is the largest selling cereal of its kind in the United States. Wheaties was invented in 1924 by a health clinician in Minneapolis who was mixing a batch of cooked wheat cereal for his patients, and he spilled some on a hot stove. The resulting crisp flake became Wheaties, the "Breakfast of Champions."
Total:
Total® was introduced in 1961 for an "increasingly vitamin-conscious American public." Total® contains 100 percent of the Daily Value for folic acid, B6 and B12 and is the only leading breakfast cereal that provides 100% of 10 essential vitamins and minerals as well as being an excellent source of calcium.
Supporting Research:
More than 50 scientific studies support the link between a diet rich in whole grain and the reduced risk of certain cancers and heart disease. One recently published study of 34,000 postmenopausal women found that eating at least one serving a day of whole grain foods significantly reduced the risk of death from all causes compared to women who ate almost no whole grain products.
History of Health Claims:
The U.S. Congress authorized health claims on food labels in 1990 with the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act (NLEA). There are now 11 authorized health claims that link specific nutrients or types of foods to a particular health benefit. The whole grain health claim is the first-ever health claim petition that specifies both heart disease and cancer for a single food component.
Glossary of Whole Grains:
Fiber
Soluble fiber has been shown to help lower blood cholesterol and control blood sugar levels. It also may help prevent or reduce the absorption of potentially harmful substances into the bloodstream. Soluble fiber is found in higher amounts in oats, barley, corn and rye.
Insoluble fiber has been shown to move waste through the intestines quickly, which may decrease the amount of time cancer-causing agents come in contact with cells. It may bind with cancer-causing substances making them unavailable to do harm in the body. Insoluble fiber is found in higher amounts in wheat and rice.
Antioxidants and Phytochemicals
Several vitamins, minerals and other substances such as phytic acid and phenolic acid slow the rate of oxidation in the body. Oxidation is partially responsible for plaque build-up on artery walls and the damage to cells, which in turn may lead to heart disease. Phytochemicals are compounds produced by plants that help a plant protect itself from bacteria and disease. They are believed to have a similar protective role in humans.
Phytoestrogens
This category of health-promoting substances includes lignans, isoflavones and other compounds. Phytoestrogens (plant hormones) mimic estrogen in the body. They may offer a protective effect against hormone-related cancers, slow the growth of cancer cells, and lower the risk for heart disease.
# # #
RSS