Food manufacturers sign UK fibre pledge

More than 20 companies in the United Kingdom have pledged their support to increase the amount of fibre in consumers’ diets, as they back the Action on Fibre initiative. Launched by the Food and Drink Federation, which represents food manufacturers in the UK, the program aims to boost the fibre in consumers’ diets in line with dietary requirements laid out by the government.

In 2015 the UK altered its dietary standards, changing the recommended daily intake of fibre from 25 to 30 g, a value that the substantial majority of people do not meet. In fact, most people are unaware of the change in the first place. The Action on Fibre initiative seeks to alter this by supporting material policy changes that see consumers eating a more fibre-rich diet each day. Signatories for the initiative include Kellogg’s, Nestlé and Unilever-owned Graze.

As part of the program companies make individual pledges, as they promise to introduce new fibre-rich products, prominently label fibre content and implement programs that educate people on fibre. The pledged organisations also contribute to annual reporting and case studies on the program’s successes.

Australians also struggle to meet their recommended fibre intake, which differs slightly from the UK’s insofar as men and women have different fibre recommendations. Diets high in fibre are claimed to be associated with lower levels of chronic diseases and a reduced chance of bowel cancer.

Currently there is no sector-wide, manufacturer-driven project to increase fibre in Australian diets but individual organisations have pushed to boost it in their own foods. The Australian Health Star Rating System prominently features the fibre value in a food and displays whether it is a high a low value.

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/marilyn barbone