[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 114 (Friday, July 30, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1504-E1505]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




TOLEDO FACILITY PROUD TO SPEARHEAD KRAFT FOODS EFFORTS TO DOUBLE WHOLE 
                       GRAIN IN CRACKER PRODUCTS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MARCY KAPTUR

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 30, 2010

  Ms. KAPTUR. Madam Speaker, this week, Kraft Foods announced plans to 
significantly increase the whole grain content in its leading Nabisco 
cracker brands, more than doubling the amount of whole grain currently 
used.
  I am privileged to share this announcement which has been made 
possible through thousands of hours of research and testing, investment 
in innovation and capital at the company's Toledo Mill. The tireless 
work of the Toledo Mill employees who make the quality whole grain 
flours that will be important ingredients in many of these products.
  As the largest flour mill in east of the Mississippi and the largest 
soft wheat mill in North America, the Toledo Mill employs nearly 100 
workers who labor tirelessly to produce 3.1 million pounds of flour 
daily.
  Kraft Foods has spent four years and invested millions of dollars in 
its flour milling technology, recipe development and testing to find 
ways to add more, whole grain to its popular cracker brands which 
culminated in a multimillion dollar investment at the Toledo Mill.
  The whole grain flours produced in Toledo will double the amount of 
whole grain in Original Wheat Thins from 11g to 22g per serving; more 
than triple the amount in Wheat Thins Toasted Chips from 5g to 17g per 
serving; and quadruple the amount in Honey Maid Original Graham 
Crackers from 5g to 20g per serving. Whole grain will also be added to 
Premium and Ritz crackers.
  This week's announcement by Kraft highlights a commitment to ensure 
that by 2013, the company expects Nabisco crackers will contribute more 
than 9 billion servings of whole grain to American diets each year.
  Kraft's commitment comes at a time when the American people and 
Congress are examining our diets and attempting to address an alarming 
increase in obesity rates.
  The Institute of Medicine has recommended that at least half of the 
grains we consume should be rich in whole grains and, based on today's 
announcement, the Toledo mill will serve as a cornerstone in our 
regions effort to remain the center of a national network feeding our 
people.
  The nutrition benefits of whole grains include fiber, B vitamins, and 
minerals. Eating whole grains at recommended levels as part of a 
healthy diet can also help reduce risk of heart disease, may help with 
weight maintenance and may lower risk for other chronic diseases. 
Today, most Americans only get about one serving (16g) of whole grain a 
day, compared with the recommended minimum three servings (at least 
48g) per day.
  Americans are increasingly conscious of the quality of their diet. 
They want and deserve healthful products that taste good and are good 
for them. The men and women who work at the Toledo Mill are proud of 
this important contribution to increasing the range of healthful 
products available to all of us.
  I offer my heartiest congratulations to Kraft Foods, and my 
appreciation to Kraft's Toledo Mill employees.

  Kraft Foods Announces Plans to Double the Amount of Whole Grain in 
                            Nabisco Crackers


      9 Billion Servings of Whole Grain Expected Annually by 2013

       Northfield, IL (July 26, 2010).--Kraft Foods announced 
     plans today to significantly increase the whole grain content 
     in its leading Nabisco cracker brands, more than doubling the 
     amount of whole grain currently used across the Nabisco 
     portfolio. Over the next three years, some of America's 
     favorite cracker brands, including Wheat Thins, Honey Maid, 
     Premium and Ritz will include more whole grain. By 2013, the 
     company expects Nabisco crackers will contribute more than 9 
     billion servings of whole grain to American diets each year.
       ``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 transform its cracker portfolio in 
     August 2009 when it increased the whole grain content of 
     Original and Reduced-Fat Wheat Thins from 5g to 11g per 31g 
     serving. In continuing this effort, 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 llg 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; and
       Adding whole grain to Premium and Ritz crackers.
       With these improvements, a number of products, including 
     Original Wheat Thins and Honey Maid Original Graham Crackers, 
     will be made with 100% whole grain.

[[Page E1505]]

       Most Americans only get about one serving (16g) of whole 
     grain a day, compared with the recommended minimum three 
     servings (at least 48g) per day, which means they could be 
     missing the important nutrition benefits that whole grain 
     offers. Eating a variety of foods to reach the recommended 
     amount of three or more servings of whole grains can help 
     consumers get fiber, B vitamins, and minerals like iron and 
     magnesium.


  Combining the Goodness of Whole Grain with the Taste Consumers Love

       Kraft Foods has spent four years and invested significant 
     resources in its flour milling technology, recipe development 
     and testing to find ways to add more whole grain to its 
     popular cracker brands. The company will be using whole grain 
     wheat flour to increase the whole grain content of these 
     products. Whole grain wheat flour is milled using the entire 
     wheat kernel (bran, endosperm and germ) to offer the benefits 
     of whole grain.
       ``It was critical for us to get the recipe right to deliver 
     the benefits of whole grain without sacrificing the taste 
     consumers expect from their favorite crackers,'' said Carlos 
     Abrams Rivera, Vice President for Nabisco crackers. ``Just 
     adding whole grain can change a product's flavor and, in the 
     case of crackers, can make them denser and grittier. But the 
     combination of the right recipe and ingredients can help us 
     maintain delicious taste and texture while adding significant 
     levels of whole grain.''


                Accelerating Health and Wellness Efforts

       Today's announcement is a continuing demonstration of Kraft 
     Foods' commitment to health and wellness. Earlier this year, 
     the company announced plans to reduce sodium by an average of 
     10% across its North American portfolio of products, 
     including crackers. And over the past five years, Kraft Foods 
     has reformulated about one in four products in the United 
     States to make them better for consumers.
       ``We're accelerating our efforts in health and wellness 
     because it's good for consumers and good for business,'' said 
     Jordan. ``Whether it's adding more whole grain, reducing 
     sodium or removing calories from our products, we're making 
     the foods consumers love even better.''


                           About Kraft Foods

       With annual revenues of approximately $48 billion, Kraft 
     Foods is a global powerhouse in snacks, confectionery and 
     quick meals. The company is the world's second largest food 
     company, making delicious products for billions of consumers 
     in more than 160 countries. The portfolio includes 11 iconic 
     brands with revenues exceeding $1 billion--Oreo, Nabisco and 
     LU biscuits; Milka and Cadbury chocolates; Trident gum; 
     Jacobs and Maxwell House coffees; Philadelphia cream cheeses; 
     Kraft cheeses, dinners and dressings; and Oscar Mayer meats. 
     Approximately 70 brands generate annual revenues of more than 
     $100 million. Kraft Foods (www.kraftfoodscompany.com; NYSE: 
     KFT) is a member of the Dow Jones Industrial Average, 
     Standard & Poor's 500, Dow Jones Sustainability Index and 
     Ethibel Sustainability Index.

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