Did you hear the news? Kraft Foods announced today that they plan on significantly increasing the amount of whole grain in its leading Nabisco cracker brands. Over the next three years, the company is more than doubling the amount of whole grain currently in some of America’s favorite cracker brands, including Wheat Thins, Honey Maid, Premium and Ritz. By 2013, Kraft expects Nabisco crackers will contribute more than nine billion servings of whole grain to American diets each year. WOW!
“Nine out of ten Americans eat less than the recommended daily amount of whole grains,” said Rhonda Jordan, President, Global Health & Wellness, Kraft Foods. “And a growing number of consumers are trying to increase their consumption of whole grains. By significantly increasing the amount of whole grain in our crackers, we’re giving them an easy, delicious way to get the whole grain they need in the foods they already enjoy.”
Kraft Foods began to revamp its cracker portfolio in August 2009 when it enhanced the whole grain content of Original and Reduced-Fat Wheat Thins from 5g to 11g per 31g serving. In continuing in the trend, the company plans to increase whole grain in more than 100 products over the next three years, including:
* Doubling the amount of whole grain in Original Wheat Thins from 11g to 22g per serving;
* More than tripling the amount in Wheat Thins Toasted Chips from 5g to 17g per serving;
* Quadrupling the amount in Honey Maid Original Graham Crackers from 5g to 20g per serving;
* Adding whole grain to Premium and Ritz crackers.
The whole grain alteration will result in several of products, including Original Wheat Thins and Honey Maid Original Graham Crackers, being made with 100% whole grain.
My Thoughts
I’m glad to see companies trying to improve the ingredients in products and make commitment to health and wellness. However, even though Kraft has done extensive testing on the recipe to make sure the crackers still maintain their delicious texture and taste, I find it hard to believe it won’t alter the perfect flavor of the existing crackers. I’m just happy I can get my toddler who is an extremely picky eater to munch down Nabisco Graham Crackers and Triscuits. Try convincing him the extra whole grain is good for him and tastes better! Have you ever heard of the saying—– if it’s not broken, don’t fix it?
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