Activities of the ICC Whole Grain Initiative
The following ICC Whole Grain Initiative international working groups are actively engaged in driving whole grain acceptance and increasing whole grain product availability worldwide:
1. Food Policy working group
2. Processing, Reformulation, & Supply Chain Engagement working group
3. Communications working group
4. Economic Evaluation & Affordability working group
5. 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.
4. Economic Evaluation & Affordability working group
Higher whole grain intakes have been associated with reductions in risk of chronic diseases including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer. As a result of the large financial burden these diseases place on both the public and private sectors, there is a need to understand what role whole grains may play to alleviate some of this burden. Economic modelling based on existing data can provide data necessary to convince governments to support higher whole grain intakes in their nutrition recommendations and policies.
Since 2025, the scope of this group has expanded to include other types of economic evaluations and affordability efforts related to whole grains. Most notably, there is an interest in conducting an economic value-chain analysis to identify barriers to price parity between whole and refined grain products and ingredients.
Activities:
Calculate / estimate the effects of different whole grain intake levels on a variety of health risk factors.
Model the data on estimated health benefits relative to health care costs and consequently the reduction of these cost.
Compile information package/dossier for external distribution to stakeholders, including Non-Government Organizations.
Expand on the health economics data we have, measuring the economic benefits of reduced employee time spent on medical leave or disability
Conduct an economic value-chain analysis to evaluate opportunities for making whole grains more affordable. Identify where and how we can achieve economies of scale
Output documents:
Healthcare Savings from Higher Whole Grain Intake in Australian Adults
Cardiovascular Healthcare Cost Savings from Higher Whole Grain Intake in US Adults
Cost of Illness Analysis: Cereal Fiber Intake and Health Savings in Australian Adults
Economic Impact of Whole Grains on Type 2 Diabetes in Finnish Adults