A step in the right direction:FDA proposes definition for whole grains

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http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060215/hl_nm/food_wholegrain_fda_dc

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - 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 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.

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. "