Table 5.
Summary of GI claims and endorsements around the globe.
| Country | GI Nutrition Content Claim in Food Regulations | GI Endorsement Program | Registered/Certified Trademark * | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | Yes, Since 2013. Nationally regulated. |
Yes, since 2002. |
Yes, Glycemic Index Foundation (Australia). | Low GI nutrient content claims, low GI Symbols are applied on a voluntary basis. Product must meet stringent nutrient criteria and the GI value must be measured in vivo by a GI testing laboratory according to either the Australian Standard (AS 4694—2007) or the International Standard (ISO 26642:2010). |
| Canada | No | No | Yes, Glycemic Index Foundation (Australia). | Diabetes Canada started work on endorsing a Low GI symbol in 2015. |
| China | Yes, since 2019. No national regulation. |
In development. | In development, Chinese Nutrition Society. | |
| European Countries | No | No | Yes, Glycemic Index Foundation (Australia). | Reductions in postprandial glycaemia is considered a health claim. The health claim can only be incorporated into well-characterised food ingredients. A resolution motion on Low GI symbol program was sent to the EU Commission in 2018. Future potential to include GI in front-of-pack label in France. Currently, GI on food labels in Italy is not permitted in the absence of an authorised health claim for postprandial glycaemia for that food or one of its ingredients. |
| Hong Kong | No | No | Yes, Glycemic Index Foundation (Australia). | |
| India | Yes, Since 2018. |
No | Yes, Glycemic Index Foundation (Australia). | |
| Indonesia | No | No | Yes, Glycemic Index Foundation (Australia). | |
| Japan | No | No | Yes, Glycemic Index Foundation (Australia). | |
| Malaysia | No | No | Yes, Glycemic Index Foundation (Australia). | |
| New Zealand | Yes, Since 2013. Nationally regulated. |
Yes, since 2002. |
Yes, Glycemic Index Foundation (Australia). | Low GI nutrient content claims, Low GI Symbols are applied on a voluntary basis. Product must meet stringent nutrient criteria, and the GI value must be measured in vivo by a GI testing laboratory according to either the Australian Standard (AS 4694—2007) or the International Standard (ISO 26642:2010). |
| Singapore | Yes | No | Yes, Glycemic Index Foundation (Australia). | Low GI claims are allowed in specific food categories with category-specific nutrient criteria. |
| South Africa | Yes, 2002–2011. Under review 2014—present. | Yes, Glycaemic Index Foundation of South Africa (GIFSA) since 2000. |
GIFSA Trademark pending | A range of GI symbols (Very low GI; Low GI; Medium GI and High GI) are applied on a voluntary basis. Products must meet nutrient specification criteria, and the GI value must be measured according to the International Standard (ISO 26642:2010) |
| Taiwan | No | No | Yes, Glycemic Index Foundation (Australia). | |
| USA | No specific national regulations. | No | Yes, Glycemic Index Foundation (Australia). | GI is not defined by the United States Food and Drug Administration for regulatory labelling. As a result, GI claims may be permitted under the general false and misleading provisions of the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, which mandates that all labelling is truthful, evidence-based and not misleading. |
* with low GI symbols.