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FDA to Define Whole Grains

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2005, recommends that Americans consume 3 or more servings of whole grains per day, with a goal of at least half of their grains coming from whole grains.

But whats a "whole grain"?

The FDA has issued a draft document intended "to provide guidance to industry about what the agency considers to be "whole grain" and to assist manufacturers in labeling their products."

In general, a "whole grain" may be ground, cracked, flaked, or intact - but should consist of the grains bran, germ, and starchy endosperm in the same proportions that they exist in the original grain.

Examples of whole grains:

• Amaranth
  
• Barley
  
• Buckwheat
  
• Bulgur
  
• Corn (including popcorn)
  
• Millet
  
• Quinoa
  
• Rice
  
• Rye
  
• Oats (including rolled oats)
  
• Sorghum
  
• Teff
  
• Triticale
  
• Wheat
  
• Wild rice

Examples of foods not considered whole grains:

• Flours or meals (e.g. corn meal) are not considered whole grain unless the bran and germ, as well as the starchy interior are present.
  
  
• Soybeans, chickpeas, and other beans and legumes are not considered whole grains.
  
  
• Barley that is pearled is not considered a whole grain because some of the bran layer has been removed.

You can read the rest of the FDAs draft guidance statement on whole grains here.