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  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    Why don’t all foods that claim to be low GI have the GI Symbol?

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    Nutrition
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    Glycemic Index Foundation

    The Glycemic Index Foundation (GIF) is a not-for-profit company supported by The University of Sydney and JDRF (Australia). GIF is committed to providing Australians with … View Profile

    There are several possible reasons:

    1. the manufacturer may have obtained a GI value from a published source (internet or published article), but not tested the food itself directly; or
    2. the manufacturer may have tested the food itself, using an unstated methodology; or
    3. they may have had the food tested following the standardised international method and make a low GI claim in the advertising and packaging but don’t meet the strict nutritional criteria or have chosen not to take part in the program.

    However, if a food makes a low GI claim but does not carry the GI symbol, be very cautious. A recent Australian survey found that many low GI claims are either false or inaccurate, and even when they are not false or inaccurate, they are often made on products that are not ideal nutritionally (i.e. they contain too many kilojoules, saturated fat and/or salt) so don't meet the stringent requirements of the GI Symbol Program.

    Where a low GI claim is made on a food which doesn't carry the low GI Symbol we encourage you to ring the manufacturer to ask if the food has been GI tested and where. If the food has been tested in Australia you should find the tested GI value on the Sydney University GI Research Service website www.glycemicindex.com.

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