FODMAP friendly certification

An estimated 35% of Australian consumers have intolerance towards ingredients high in FODMAPs (which stands for fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols)  - foods like wheat, rye, apple, honey, legumes, onion, garlic and milk.  FODMAPs are a collection of sugars and related molecules that are found naturally in foods, and can often trigger symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) including bloating, wind, abdominal pain and changes in bowel habits (diarrhoea or constipation).

Not only do FODMAPs trigger symptoms in the one in eight people who suffer from IBS, but FODMAPs can also affect sufferers of coeliac disease and other inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn’s disease.

Food products that are low in FODMAPs (including fructose-friendly and lactose-friendly foods) are now eligible to display the FODMAP Friendly certification; a new logo to help people advised to follow a diet low in FODMAPs easily identify and select suitable foods.

The FODMAP Friendly Logo is the first Australian Government-approved labelling system for fructose-friendly and lactose-friendly foods and is now available on select foods Australia-wide, with more to begin displaying the logo in coming months.

FODMAP Friendly Certification founder dietitian Dr Sue Shepherd said the labelling system is a handy shopping companion for those with specific dietary requirements who find looking at ingredients and packaging time consuming and difficult.

“The new FODMAP Friendly logo is to help people advised to follow a low-FODMAP diet easily identify and select suitable foods for their dietary needs.

“People who experience problems due to hidden ingredients in foods, and who find themselves spending time reading food packaging and labels will benefit from the new FODMAP Friendly logo,” Dr Shepherd said.

Each food product is analysed independently in a food-testing laboratory before it is given the FODMAP Friendly accreditation.