In the ever-fashionable diet foods sector, the glycaemic index (GI) has been hailed as a possible rival to the Atkins diet. As foods labelled with their GI ranking become increasingly popular in other parts of the world, Leatherhead Food International has undertaken a review of the glycaemic index, bringing together the current market situation, coupled with new products launches and a consumer survey to look at what people actually think of the idea in the UK. In addition, the nutritional basis behind GI, what it means, how foods are tested for the GI value, and the health benefits of incorporating low GI foods into a healthy diet are explained. The potential for the development of products that respond to this new diet phenomenon is described with reference to the ingredients available to the food industry for low GI foods, and the patents already filed for low-GI foods.

The market for products labelled with a GI ranking is still in its infancy in the UK, however, in Australia and South Africa the market has been established for a number of years. In Australia, the “GI Symbol Program” has licensed the use of its symbol to a large number of companies in the last 2 years, including dairy companies, bakery companies and beverage companies. Whilst in South Africa, the “GISFA Symbol” has been added to the labels of food products as well as being used on specially developed GI foods. There have been a smaller number of products launched in Europe, including a low GI breakfast food in Sweden, a specially made low GI cereal bar in Belgium and a range of labelled products from Tesco’s in the UK.

Consumer acceptance and understanding of the glycaemic index will be a key factor in market growth in any country. Around 35% of UK Consumers had heard of GI, citing a number of sources including, friends or relatives with diabetes, health practitioners, magazines, newspapers and personal studies. Although there was a general background understanding of GI, it was clear some consumers were sceptical and thought it was just another fad. Consumers felt more information was needed to educate people, this could be in the form of adverts (TV or magazine), in store promotional material, (leaflets, stands or cookery demonstrations) or an information line to call.

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