Accelerating Health Innovation™

Swedes become first in Europe to adopt a low-GI health claim

Sweden is allowing health claims on products with a low GI rating, becoming the first country in Europe to do so. The claim states, "[product name] gives a low or slow blood sugar response and has a scientifically tested low glycaemic index." In order to bear the claim, products must have been tested on at least 10 healthy non-medicating test subjects at two independent labs using methodology of the World Health Organization/ Food and Agriculture Organization and GI determination must be made in the morning after fasting. Products must provide at least 15 grams and preferably 20 grams of carbohydrate per serving, and it is recommended subjects eat an amount that corresponds to 50g of available carbs. Cerealia Foods and Bread is putting the claim on eight of its products, including those from its joint venture with Raisio, GoGreen. Ready meals with rice or pasta, a muesli product and a bread product have been approved. Cerealia research found that GI awareness is still low in Sweden with only 10% of Swedes understand it. The company has advertising and educational material to help with informing the public. According to the business development manager, Cerealia's sales have improved since the claims were added and the company wants to launch more in the near future. The article also notes a low-GI sandwich shop, Energi Box, has opened in London to stock low-GI products. It is believed to be the first GI-specific retail store in the world. According to a partner in consultancy The Food Group, published GI values of specific foods can vary up to 25%. Thus far, in spite of WHO/FAO backing, no US health organization has recognized GI for disease prevention and management.

Functional Foods & Nutraceuticals
9/1/2005