Whole grain health claims in the United States, United Kingdom and Sweden

The United States, United Kingdom and Sweden have adopted health claims for whole grains and reduction of risk of coronary heart disease. Health claims are messages that inform consumers about currently recognized links between nutrition and health, and they include the reduced risk for chronic disease. A science-based approach finalized by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the 1993 Health Claims regulation established a significant breakthrough for establishing diet and disease-related health claims. The UK and Sweden have also developed guidelines for establishing science-based health claims on foods. These claims are based on scientific evidence that includes epidemiological, animal and clinical research studies. Each wholegrain health claim is presented, based on each countries respective regulatory guidelines and method for scientific review. The similarities and differences among the three health claims are discussed along with recommendations for policy and regulatory issues. Additional consumer education, scientific research, and government policy are needed to reinforce and expand the effectiveness of public health communications for greater consumption of whole grain and for the use of wholegrain health claims on complying foods.