“The American Bakers Association applauds the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans that provide important tools to improve the health of all Americans and combat the obesity epidemic. Grain foods are the foundation of a healthy lifestyle since complex carbohydrates provide essential fuel the body needs,” said ABA President & CEO Robb MacKie.
Bakers continue to offer innovative, healthy grain products to meet our customers’ needs. These include an ever-growing variety of whole grain products and other products that meet consumer preferences including calcium for bone health, breads fortified with Omega 3s and lower sodium bakery products.
Enriched grains are the source of eight essential nutrients such as folic acid, B vitamins, iron and fiber. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), folic acid is essential for expectant mothers and may also reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke in adults. Since folic acid fortification of enriched grains was implemented in 1998, neural tube birth defects have dropped 25 to 35 percent.
“ABA also strongly supports the 2010 Guidelines’ recommendation for physical activity and believes that exercise is an essential component of a healthy lifestyle, regardless of age. By encouraging Americans of all ages to engage in a variety of enjoyable physical activities that are age and health appropriate, we believe exercise will improve the health of our country,”
concluded MacKie.
American Bakers Association (ABA) is the Washington D.C.- based voice of the wholesale baking industry. Since 1897, ABA has advocated on behalf of more than 700 baking facilities and baking suppliers before Congress and regulatory agencies. ABA members produce bread, rolls, crackers, bagels, sweet goods, tortillas and many other wholesome, nutritious, baked products for America’s families. The baking industry generates more than $70 billion in economic activity annually and employs close to half a million highly skilled people.
Source: American Bakers Association
