Increasing Opportunities For Incorporating Whole Grains In Foods And Beverages

Opportunities to include whole grains in food and beverage products are on the rise, though there are technical problems to overcome. Experts advise manufacturers to be careful about the type of grains and processing techniques used. A major focus in the beverage industry is adding whole grains to smoothies. Jamba Juice partnered with Quaker Oats to create a beverage that delivers 16 grams of whole grains per serving. The key to getting the right texture is to reduce the particle size of the whole grains, though it can be an expensive process. Beyond beverages, whole grains are being tested in pretzels. ConAgra Mills, Inc. is developing a pretzel bread that has eight grams of whole grains per serving. The company incorporated Ultragrain white whole wheat flour at 30 percent of the flour.