By Judi Adams, MS, RD President The Foundation for the Advancement of Grain Based Foods Response to presentations Understanding Demand Shifts for Grain-Based Foods September 28, 2004

Confusion/Concerns  Good food vs bad food  Recommendations of whole grain consumption  Definitions of grain foods: whole, refined, enriched and fortified  FDA low-carb definitions

Definitions of Grain Foods  Whole grain products  Contain the entire endosperm, bran and germ found in proportional amounts in the unprocessed grain kernel.  There are some whole grain breakfast cereals that are adequately fortified with folic acid on a voluntary basis, but no other whole grain products are.  Refined, unenriched grain products  The germ and brain are removed with only the endosperm remaining.  This represents less than 5% of the total white flour milled in the U.S.  It is used primarily for organic and artisan products. A small amount goes into mixes for overseas consumption.

Definitions, cont:  Enriched/fortified grain products  Refined grain products that have the three major B vitamins and iron replaced in equal amounts to those in whole grain products as defined by the standards of identity.  They also are fortified with folic acid in amounts slightly double that found in whole grain products.  This higher level of folic acid fortification now makes enriched grain foods also fortified grain foods. This includes such things as white bread, rolls and the majority of other grain foods.  This represents approximately 95% of the total white flour milled in the U.S.  Other fortified grain products  Those that have a variety of minerals and vitamins, in various amounts, not defined by any set standards.  These nutrients are added voluntarily following FDA guidelines.  Many breakfast cereals fit into this category.

Dietary Guidelines 2000/Food Guide Pyramid Recommendations  Do not give an exact figure or even a recommendation for “half” of your servings.  The recommendation is for “several” servings of whole grains  DGAC 2005 – not yet final – recommends “3 or more”  CNPP is recommending “half”

Americans are not eating enough whole grain foods Currently averaging less than 1  Why?  Aren’t able to recognize whole grain products  Don’t like the color*  Don’t like the taste*  Don’t like the cost*  Not a part of their family culture *Sara Lee Bakery Group consumer research

Enriched/Fortified Grains for Public Health  Pellagra and beriberi:  Most Baby Boomers and succeeding generations have never heard of pellagra and beriberi.  These diseases which have been eradicated by enriched grains.  Neural tube birth defects:  Beginning in 1998, FDA mandated that enriched grains be fortified with folic acid.  Neural tube birth defects have decreased:  Almost 30 percent in the U.S.  50 percent in Canada  41 percent in Chile

Public Health Benefits of Enriched/Fortified Grain Foods, cont.  Neuroblastoma: a deadly brain cancer in infants  Has decreased 60 percent in Canada during the same period.  This has also been attributed to folic acid fortification.  Heart disease and strokes: Paper given at the AHA conference, March 2004, CDC gave FDA’s mandated fortification of folic acid credit for preventing:  31,000 annual deaths from stroke  17,000 annual deaths from heart disease.

GMA Petition’s FDA for Carbohydrate Claims

 Carbohydrate Free: Define as less than 0.5 gram per serving and per reference amount customarily consumed (RACC) GMA’s Petition

 Low Carbohydrate: Define as 9 grams of carbohydrate or less per RACC  If an individual food has a RACC equal to or less than 30 grams OR two tablespoons or less:  9 grams of carbohydrate or less  No more than 50% of calories are derived from carbohydrate GMA’s Petition

 Excellent Source of Carbohydrate: Define as 30 grams of carbohydrate or more per RACC  Examples: pasta, waffles, bagels, orange juice  Good Source of Carbohydrate: Define as 15 grams of carbohydrate per RACC  Examples: crackers, baked beans, ready-to- eat cereal, popcorn, granola bars, a variety of fruits and vegetables GMA’s Petition

Data that would be helpful  “IF” government resources were unlimited:  Effect of ESL (extended shelf life) on consumption figures  More exact individual product tracking  “English muffins” vs. “bread and rolls”  “Corn” cereals vs. wheat and rice  Retail artisan bread vs. wholesale bread  Tracking individuals throughout lifecycle  More timely reports

Thank you for the opportunity to respond