A symbol that will be affixed to products made from whole-wheat – to distinguish
them from rolls or bread with caramel or other coloring to make it look like
whole wheat – will be instituted by the Health Ministry, it was announced on
Sunday.
The ministry said it will make it possible for manufacturers and
importers to use a symbol for whole wheat to encourage the public to consume it;
the eating of whole-wheat rather than white-flour products has been shown to
reduce the risk of obesity and type II diabetes.
The ministry also said
that it will encourage the companies to lower the prices on whole-wheat baked
goods. At present, they are more expensive, even though bleaching natural flour
so it becomes white is a more expensive procedure than leaving it
alone.
The ministry said it would give authorization for use of the
symbol to bread manufacturers and marketers, including bakeries, factories,
grocery stores, supermarkets and cafes that meet all the requirements for its
relevant products.
The logo/symbol will also state that “This bread meets
the Health Ministry standards for proper nutrition.”
Manufacturers of
packaged baked products containing whole-wheat flour may place the logo on the
package and prominently on displays next to where unwrapped baked goods are
sold.
There will be several criteria for the symbol — for baked goods
with at least 80 percent of the flour whole-wheat; if the maximum about of
sodium (salt) is 400 mg. per 100 gr. of baked goods; if the maximum number of
calories is 250 per 100 gr. of baked goods; and if the nutrition values are
within the permitted limits set down in 1993.
The manufacturer/merchant
must provide documentation that his products have met these requirements,
including the contents of the products. The ministry will be permitted to take
samples of the products to ensure that the requirements are met and prohibit the
use of the logo if the product does not meet them.
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