On Cereal Day, call for healthier generations

Nestlé and Cereal Partners Worldwide (CPW) urge governments and policy makers to recognize the crucial role of whole grains in promoting healthy eating habits throughout life.

Cereal Partners Worldwide (CPW) is a joint venture between Nestlé and General Mills that promotes healthy and sustainable diets and aims to make breakfast better by incorporating whole grains into their products.

Nestlé and CPW support International Whole Grains Day, celebrated annually in November, an annual event dedicated to raising awareness of the importance of whole grains to everyone’s health throughout life. This year’s campaign, with the theme “Adopt Whole Grain Foods for Healthier Generations”, carried out together with distinguished organizations and experts, aims to highlight the role of whole grains, the important role of whole grain food processing, in promoting overall well-being and in increasing the health of each generation throughout life.

“International Whole Grain Day serves as a reminder of the importance of adopting whole grain foods for healthier generations. By raising awareness, implementing key policy measures and promoting industry initiatives, we can improve whole grain consumption and contribute to healthier eating habits among young and older consumers. Together, let’s prioritize whole grains as a fundamental component of a healthy and sustainable diet,” explained Monika Gajewska, Business Executive Officer CPW.

Whole grains provide more than fibre. They are full of essential nutrients and scientific evidence suggests that higher intakes of whole grains in all age groups are associated with a lower risk of being overweight or obese1. Also, observational studies consistently show that a higher intake of whole grains is associated with a lower risk of chronic disease and mortality. In addition, choosing whole grains over refined grains can have a positive impact on the environment. Recent data shows that switching to whole grains instead of refined grains can reduce environmental impact by 20%.

Also, public health authorities, nutritionists and health organizations, including the WHO, recommend that we consume whole grains to the detriment of refined ones. A whole grain food is defined as a food with at least one gram of fibre per 10 grams of carbohydrates. Nutritionists say we should serve three servings of whole grains a day. A serving is about 16g of whole grains – this could be a slice of wholemeal bread, 2 oatcakes, 3 cups of popcorn or three heaping tablespoons of cooked wholemeal pasta.

Despite these benefits, consumption of whole grains remains insufficient worldwide.

Processing plays a vital role in increasing the nutritional value of whole grains. It is important to note that not all processed foods should be considered equal. Notably, processed whole grain products such as bread or breakfast cereals have been linked to a reduced risk of chronic disease and all-cause mortality 2[1].

Encouraging the widespread consumption of whole grain products is therefore of the utmost importance. Romanians place relatively little importance on whole grain foods as part of a healthy diet[2], consuming only one of the three recommended portions[3]. Breakfast represents an opportunity to encourage the consumption of whole grains. Although breakfast is highly valued in the country and is a daily habit for most people, the consumption of whole grain breakfasts occurs only 2-3 times a week[4]. Nestlé and CPW play a vital role in facilitating greater intake of whole grains by providing a diverse range of products, including whole grains for infants and whole grains for breakfast. These products are tailored to meet consumers’ preferences and dietary requirements, while being convenient to integrate into their daily diet.

Nestlé and CPW are urging governments to recognize the importance of whole grains for lifelong health and are calling for an enabling regulatory landscape through a globally agreed definition of whole grain foods and policy actions such as front-of-pack labelling. Nestlé and CPW offer a diverse range of whole grain products and emphasize their positive impact on both health and the environment.

[1] Reynolds A et al (2019). Carbohydrate quality and human health: a series of systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Lancet, 393(10170):434-445. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(18)31809-9

[2] Nestlé MASMI NHW Study -March 2022

[3] Programul Alimentar Mondial/World Food Program, Organizaţia pentru Alimentaţie şi Agricultură (FAO) 

[4] Nestlé -QuickR Team Romania Breakfast Market Deep Understanding June 2023