This post is for those who follow a FODMAP diet or are interested.
The low FODMAP diet has been used for sufferers of IBS with some success and many dietitians swear by it.
We investigated putting the FODMAP Friendly logo on The Muesli product packaging - as logic said that the lowest sugar breakfast cereal/muesli on the market would surely fit the bill.
The process involved laboratory testing of The Muesli - both Classic & Gluten Free varieties - and the results indicated that The Muesli could not carry the FODMAP friendly logo due to a .06 discrepancy on one item - GOS.
The explanation from the organisation was: "Basically, your products failed for GOS/fructans (these are oligosaccharides, which is the ‘O’ in FODMAPs), not fructrose/glucose. GOS/fructans are sugars that are found naturally occurring in certain nuts, seeds and legumes. The Muesli’s results showed that your products only slightly exceeded the overall oligosaccharide FODMAP threshold, which is why we recommended you slightly adjust the serving sizes, to allow the products to meet the low FODMAP criteria."
Whilst we were not prepared to change our entire packaging including serving size (of a completely natural, virtually sugar free product) just to hold the logo, we wanted to let those whom it affects know that - apparently a 40g serve is FODMAP Friendly!
Not sour grapes or anything, but I really do question some of the products that are licensed to carry it!
The Muesli test results:
Some FODMAP Information - taken from the fodmapfriendly.com website
FODMAPs are a collection of short chain carbohydrates and sugar alcohols found in foods naturally or as food additives. FODMAPs include fructose (when in excess of glucose), fructans, galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS), lactose and polyols (eg. sorbitol and mannitol).
FODMAP is an acronym that stands for:
Fermentable – meaning they are broken down (fermented) by bacteria in the large bowel
Oligosaccharides – “oligo” means “few” and “saccharide” means sugar. These molecules made up of individual sugars joined together in a chain
Disaccharides – “di” means two. This is a double sugar molecule.
Monosaccharides – “mono” means single. This is a single-sugar molecule.
And
Polyols – these are sugar