Australia’s Manildra Group launches low FODMAP flour

03 Aug 2018 --- Australian flour miller Manildra Group has launched a low FODMAP flour range, touted as being “the world’s first.” Tested by government-registered Australian certifier FODMAP Friendly with DTS laboratories, Lo-Fo Pantry Plain Flour has been approved for millions of Australians who suffer IBS-like abdominal symptoms but get no relief from a gluten-free diet. 

FODMAPs (Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides and Polyols) are short-chain carbohydrates found in many fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy foods and sweeteners that can be poorly absorbed, attracting excess water and fermentable bacteria that cause IBS-like symptoms such as gas and wind or abdominal bloating. 

For the new flour product, Manildra extracts FODMAPs from the grain of 100 percent Australian, GMO-free wheat as part of an all-natural, chemical-free wet milling process pioneered at Australia’s biggest flour mill, the regional NSW flagship of Manildra’s family-owned international agribusiness.

“We feel this brand can play a significant role in the wellbeing and health space,” says Manildra Group Director Caroline Honan of the baking breakthrough. “People following Low-FODMAP diets can simply substitute Lo-Fo Pantry’s flour into any recipe to put a smorgasbord of healthy and delicious foods back on the menu – from pizza and pasta, to banana bread, hot cross buns, cookies, cakes, scones, slices, muffins, lamingtons and more.”
 
For optimum nutritional health, the company reports that Lo-Fo Pantry’s new Plain Flour – along with the premium range of The Healthy Baker vitamin, calcium and folate enriched flours – are available at Australia's Woolworths supermarkets in the popular air-tight and durable 1kg PET containers, suitable for re-use and storage after keeping your flour at its freshest.

The Low FODMAP diet has gained popularity in recent months, with a number of suppliers positioning their ingredients on the low FODMAP platform. With consumers seeking diets that work for them and digestive health becoming an increasingly important health area, growing interest in the low FODMAP diet is perhaps unsurprising. However, the diet has been criticized as being difficult for consumers to follow, often requiring expert advice and support. New launches such as Manildra's Lo-Fo Pantry Plain Flour have the potential to help more consumers follow this diet.