BOSTON, October 6, 2009 - Over 3000 whole grain foods in fourteen countries have now been approved to use the Whole Grain Stamp, an eye-catching black and gold symbol created by the Whole Grains Council to help consumers quickly and easily find whole grain products.
“We’re gratified to see the Whole Grain Stamp established as a trusted standard in the United States, and now spreading beyond our borders to help shoppers in other lands,” said Cynthia Harriman, Director of Food & Nutrition Strategies for the Whole Grains Council and for Oldways, its parent organization. “We’ve created Portuguese and Spanish versions for Latin America, a French-English version for Canada, and even a Polish version, as interest grows in other countries.”
The milestone 3000th product, in fact, was Pan Integral Bimbo, a product offered in Panama by Mexico-based Grupo Bimbo. “The Stamp helps consumers to make a rational decision, facilitating the reading and comprehension of the ingredient list,” said Patricia Villalobos, PhD, VP of Research and Development for Grupo Bimbo. “With this measure, Bimbo Panama takes another step forward in its efforts to offer products of the highest quality to consumers and to provide truthful and timely information about the ingredients it uses.”
Each Whole Grain Stamp details the whole grain content, in grams, of each food. Products must contain a half serving (8g) or more of whole grains per serving, in order to qualify for the Whole Grain Stamp. In fact, 65% of the products currently using the Stamp contain a full serving or more of whole grain, and more than a third of Stamped products qualify for the added 100% banner, for products where all the grain is whole grain. To see a list of products using the Stamp, visit our WG Product Finder.
Studies show that eating whole grains instead of refined grains lowers the risk of many chronic diseases, including heart disease and diabetes, with some studies showing reduced risks from as little as one serving daily. Other benefits include reduced risk of asthma, healthier blood pressure levels, and less gum disease and tooth loss.
With consumer recognition of whole grains now well established in retail channels thanks to the Stamp, the Whole Grains Council is also turning the spotlight on foodservice, with its 3rd Annual Whole Grains Challenge running during the month of October 2009. For foodservice outlets in ten categories, from fine dining to quick serve restaurants and from schools to workplaces, this awards program offers recognition to those offering at least one whole grain option daily, with top honors for creative promotion of whole grains. Full details of the Whole Grains Challenge are on the Whole Grains Council website under “Get Involved.”
Please contact Alison Clancy (aclancy@oldwayspt.org or 617-896-4888) for more information, including hi-res graphics of the Whole Grain Stamp.
About Oldways and The Whole Grains Council
Oldways is a non-profit consumer advocacy group changing the way people eat through positive and practical programs grounded in science and tradition. The Whole Grains Council (WGC) is an Oldways program working to increase consumption of whole grains for better health. The WGC’s many initiatives help consumers to find whole grain foods and understand their health benefits; help manufacturers and restaurants to create delicious whole grain foods; and help the media to write accurate, compelling stories about whole grains. You can learn more about both at oldwayspt.org and at wholegrainscouncil.org