Growers in Victoria are currently producing the high fibre wheat variety for overseas markets. Photo: Allied Pinnacle.

FLOUR and bakery manufacturer Allied Pinnacle has gained exclusive rights to mill the high-fibre HAW1 wheat in Australia to produce a flour which will become commercially available this year.

The high-fibre genetics featured in the high-amylose HAW1 variety were developed by Arista Cereals through a joint venture between CSIRO and French farmer-led co-operative, Limagrain.

Seed company AGT have incorporated the Arista-developed genetics into HAW1 to enable Australian growers to produce the specialty wheat under a closed-loop arrangement.

Along with the Grains Research and Development Corporation, the South Australian Government and the University of Adelaide, Limagrain is one of AGT’s stakeholders.

“It’s being grown  in Victoria and southern New South Wales, predominantly because there isn’t a huge amount of production yet,” AGT head of science and business development Tristan Coram said.

“In the future, we’re going to have more varieties with this trait in it.”

Because of its different starch properties, HAW1 yields slightly less than standard milling grades, but returns the grower a premium over the standard grades in order to encourage production.

Allied will look to develop products using the wheat, which has been shown to yield flour with six times the fibre of regular flour.

Benefits for consumers

The announcement comes after the first shipment of HAW1 left Victoria bound for Nisshin Flour Milling in Japan which, like Allied Pinnacle, is owned by Japan’s Nisshin Seifun Group.

Allied Pinnacle CEO David Pitt said the wheat delivered benefits for consumers relating to both the amount and type of fibre.

The naturally high fibre content is delivered through conventional breeding to provide more resistant starch, a prebiotic fibre, than traditional wheat.

“We are investing in the future of Australia by bringing the CSIRO-developed high-fibre wheat to Australians,” Mr Pitt said.

“High-fibre wheat and the resulting flour it yields looks, tastes and bakes like regular flour, answering consumer demand for products that don’t require any new eating habits.

“It’s a true grain-to-table solution that we’re proud to provide.”

Low-processed solution

Representatives from Allied Pinnacle including national commodity manager Brett Duczmal and head of industrial sales James Gary met with growers in Victoria’s Southern Mallee to discuss the production of the specialty wheat. Photo: Allied Pinnacle

Australian Dietary Guidelines recommend Australians eat a varied diet from the five food groups including grain, mostly in the form of wholegrain and/or high cereal-fibre varieties.

Allied Pinnacle general manager innovation Robyn Murray said the new product will provide consumers with additional fibre without the need for extra processing.

“We know consumers are looking for better-for-you choices that are minimally processed,” Ms Murray said.

“Using high-fibre wheat in your favourite grain foods is an easy and natural way for Australians to increase their intake of fibre without having to sacrifice taste or texture.

“This is a big win for the grain food industry and the Australian consumer.”

Success in Japan, US

High-fibre wheat products are already available in the US and Japan, and are currently being developed in European markets.

Nisshin Seifun Group has the exclusive rights to high-fibre wheat in Japan.

Arista CEO Eric Vaschalde said it was great to see the idea for a high-amylose wheat develop into a product that was available to consumers around the world.

“Following the introduction of this high-fibre wheat in the USA, Japan and Europe, I am delighted to announce a long-term partnership in Australia, home of our shareholder CSIRO,” Mr Vaschalde said.

“Thanks to Allied Pinnacle, high-fibre wheat flour will be soon available to the Australian market.

“Consumers will now be able to enjoy the benefits of increased fibre in their favourite white bread, using only wheat, with no compromise to taste.”

Source: Allied Pinnacle