What is the Whole Grain Initiative?
The Whole Grain Initiative is an impressive example of what happens when we harness the power of thought leadership and interdisciplinary collaboration aimed at increasing the consumption of whole grains worldwide.
At the 2025 Whole Grain Summit in Detmold, Germany, the Whole Grain Initiative community had an opportunity to reevaluate its goals and priorities and set the agenda for the next chapter of the WGI’s engagement. Summit participants engaged in intensive roundtable discussions and pitch sessions on 15 topics across three themes, bringing expertise, curiosity and open-mindedness to the task of understanding current challenges and providing outcomes for future activities. These outcomes are summarized here:
Summit Outcomes Report
With these outcomes and goals in mind, in 2025 the Whole Grain Initiative proceeds with the following working groups:
Current 2025 WGI Working Groups
o Food Policy working group
o Processing, Reformulation, & Industry Engagement working group
o Communications working group
o Economic Evaluation & Affordability working group
o Asia-Pacific Region working group
Additionally, the WGI is supporting a “special project” on the topic of Whole Grains & Sustainability, partnering with environmental scientists and other experts through an interdisciplinary approach.
Good to know: The Whole Grain Initiative was launched in 2017 following the 6th International Whole Grain Summit in Vienna where 220 public health experts and communications specialists, manufacturers and marketers, grain scientists and government regulators from 36 countries from all continents convened. The vision was to drive a global shift from refined grains to whole grains, unlocking the numerous health benefits that come with this transition, and recognizing that whole grains have the power to enhance quality of life, promote sustainability, and reduce the burden of diet-related diseases.
Who are the members of the Whole Grain Initiative?
The Whole Grain Initiative is a network of experts and interested partners all along the food value chain: scientists and technologists, nutrition and consumer experts, health organization members, actors from the agriculture and milling sector, industry representatives and representatives from the important small and medium enterprise sector as well as members of trade associations and retail. Anyone who wishes to promote the increase of whole grain consumption is welcome to join us.
Whole Grain Initiative History and Accomplishments
In 2017, as the WGI was just getting its start, the group identified several key goals outlined in its Vienna Whole Grain Declaration, to be addressed using the combined efforts of all parties involved in the food supply chain.
Based on the top priorities set, the WGI established International Working Groups focused on the following topics:
Whole Grain Definition
Economic Evaluation of Increased Whole Grain Intake
Best Practices for Public-Private Partnerships & Communication
Food Policy
Quantitative Intake Recommendations
Increasing Whole Grain Intake in the Asia-Pacific Region
From 2017 through 2025, these working groups accomplished the following:
· The Whole Grain Definitions working group:
o Succeeded in developing and publishing consensus definitions of whole grain ingredients and whole grain foods with input from 45 experts representing 19 countries.
o Further, they pursued adoption of these standards by ISO with plans to approach CODEX adoption next.
· The Health Economics working group:
o Published four economic studies (one, two, three, & four) evaluating the healthcare cost savings impact of increasing whole grain intake.
o The results of savings in healthcare costs were similar and significant for the USA, Australia, and Finland for the chronic diseases modeled.
· The Communications and Partnerships working group:
o Secured recognition for International Whole Grain Day and hosted its sixth annual campaign in November 2024, with events held at the EU Parliament and in Australia, and with promotional campaigns carried out across European and American markets.
· The Food Policy working group
o Pursued persistent science-based advocacy work in whole grain labeling and regulations.
o Created a Whole Grain Fact Sheet which highlights the latest research on whole grains and health
· The Whole Grain Intake Recommendations working group
o Progressed toward the completion of a substantial literature review and meta-analysis project and is working to establish the scientific evidence for a quantitative intake recommendation that maximizes the positive health outcomes achievable with increased whole grain intake.
· The Asia-Pacific working group
o Got its start in 2024 and engaged in creating an Asia-focused strategy for increasing whole grain intake.
o The group will look to increase consumer education and awareness and encourage greater availability of whole grain food choices.