Mondelēz to Improve Labeling for Ritz and Premium Whole Grain Products

CSPI worked with Mondelēz Global LLC, the owner of the brands Ritz and Premium, to provide additional information disclosing the percentage of whole grain on the label for its Ritz “Baked With Whole Wheat” Crackers, Ritz “Baked with Whole Wheat” Fresh Stacks Crackers, and Premium “With Whole Grain” Saltine Crackers.

Mondelēz is already rolling out new labels for its Ritz and Premium whole grain products, prominently stating on the front of the package the percentage of their grains that are whole grains. These percentages are: Ritz “Baked With Whole Wheat” Crackers and Fresh Stacks Crackers (44%) and Premium “With Whole Grain” Saltine Crackers (34%). In addition, where the claim “baked with whole wheat” or “with whole grain” appears on the products, the words “baked with” and “with” will now be more prominent (i.e., at least 75 percent as large as the words “whole wheat” or “whole grain”).

“The labeling changes that Mondelēz has agreed to make on its Ritz and Premium whole grain products are a significant step forward,” said CSPI Litigation Director Lisa Mankofsky. “This new and improved labeling will help consumers make informed decisions about the grains they consume and enable them to build a diet that meets the 50% whole grain recommendation. We hope that other manufacturers of whole grain products will follow suit.”