The Danish Whole Grain Partnership

The Danish Whole Grain Partnership

We want to inspire you to eat more whole grains. The Danish Whole Grain Partnership is a public-private partnership between the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration, the Danish Cancer Society, the Danish Heart Foundation, and the Danish Diabetes Association, as well as several food companies, retail chains, and industry associations. Together, we work to improve public health by encouraging Danes to eat more whole grains.

About us

The Danish Whole Grain Partnership consists of 27 partners, a board with representatives from various types of organizations involved in the collaboration, and a common secretariat with two full-time employees and a student assistant

Each partner contributes with their strengths and competencies. Together, we can make a greater difference than individually.

Vision and mission

The vision of The Danish Whole Grain Partnership is to promote public health by encouraging Danes to eat more whole grains. The mission of the Whole Grain Partnership is to increase the availability of whole grain products and spread awareness of the beneficial effects of whole grains. The targeted work of The Danish Whole Grain Partnership has already brought results:

  • A significant increase in the number of products labeled with the whole grain logo, from 190 in 2010 to 1097 products in 2019.
  • 68% of all Danes are familiar with the whole grain logo, and out of them, 80% say they also shop according to the logo. (Megafon 2021)
  • · A significant increase in the average daily intake of whole grains from 36 grams per 10 MJ before the campaign started to 82 grams per 10 MJ in 2019.

Do you have any questions, good ideas or do you want to collaborate with us?

Secretariat

Rikke

Rikke Neess

Campaign Leader

“My task is to ensure enthusiasm in the partnership and work to make it easy for Danes to make a whole grain choice right where they are. I look forward every day to going to work to collaborate with our dedicated whole grain partners on this important mission.”

Cecilia

Cecilia Mandrup

Campaign consultant

“It is incredibly motivating to work every day for a partnership that makes a difference and drives change. My most important task is to help create campaigns and activities that increase awareness of whole grains and encourage Danes to choose the whole grain logo when they shop.”

Studentermedhjælper

Sille Walker

Student assistant
 

“I am passionate about spreading the message of getting Danes to consume more whole grains. My most important task in the Whole Grain Partnership is to elevate our social media presence and create engaging content that increases awareness of the whole grain logo among Danes.”

Board

Niels Brinch-Nielsen (2)

Niels Brinch-Nielsen

CEO
Valsemøllen A/S
Chairman of the Board

“The Whole Grain Partnership is a great success. In just 10 years, we have achieved that Danes eat over twice as much whole grain, our whole grain logo is now on more than 1000 products, and over half of the population buys according to it. This we have only been able to achieve in a strong partnership between NGOs, the public sector, and private companies.”

Kirstine Mahler

Kirstine Mahler

Head of Unit
Danish Veterinary and Food Administration
Vice Chairman

“The Whole Grain Partnership is an important collaboration that helps Danes follow the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration’s recommendation to eat 90g of whole grains daily. This benefits both our health and the climate, as grain products have a low environmental impact.”

Natasha Selberg

Natasha Selberg

Chief Consultant
Danish Heart Association
Vice Chairman
“It’s of great value to us to collaborate with the Whole Grain Partnership for our shared agenda – increasing the intake of whole grains among Danes for the benefit of public health. Whole grains have many health benefits, and there is clear evidence and strong documentation showing that a high intake of whole grains helps prevent major public health diseases, including cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, it is gratifying that we have collectively contributed to significantly increasing whole grain consumption in Denmark – especially among those who consume the least.”
Søren Bender Egesborg

Søren Egesborg

CCO
Kohberg Bakery Group A/S
Board Member

“In 2023, 18 of our Kohberg bread and rolls are marked with the Whole Grain logo, and every time we introduce new bread and rolls, we consider whether the bread can advantageously contain a higher proportion of whole grains and thus be marked with the Whole Grain logo.”

Anders René

Anders René Jensen

Purchasing and Marketing Director
REMA 1000
Board Member

“If we are to succeed in changing shopping habits and purchasing behavior, we must ensure that all consumers have the necessary knowledge to make better choices. This requires us all to work together with a shared goal and common messages, helping consumers make healthier choices. The Whole Grain Partnership is proof of how to do it – a great success where we can achieve even greater results together.”

Jacob Lave

Jakob Lave

Industry Director
Danish Industries - Food
Observer

“The Whole Grain Partnership is paving the way for how committed collaboration can lead to major changes in the food industry. Through long-term and professional efforts, it has successfully shifted Danes towards a much higher intake of whole grains in their diet. With the clear, research-based benefits of whole grains – and their deep-rooted place in our food culture – I believe the partnership can reach even greater heights in the coming years.”

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Kim Madsen

CEO
Lantmannen Cerealia A/S
Board Member

“In our company, whole grains have become one of the first things we talk about when developing a new product. It says something about how strong a parameter whole grains have become.”

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Pernille Bang-Löwgren

CEO
Lantmännen Schulstad A/S
Board Member

“As the largest supplier of bread to the Danes, we have a responsibility to improve public health. We continuously improve our products so that we can always offer bread with a minimum amount of whole grains and fibers, even if it may not necessarily be seen or tasted. Our participation in the Whole Grain Partnership adds a meaningful dimension to our mission.”

Morten Hassing

Morten Hassing Schlichtkrull

Head of Food Product and Performance
ISS Facility Services A/S
Board member

“The healthy choice should be the easy choice, and the whole grain logo has made it easy for the Danes to choose whole grains. The potential is enormous when many of us collaborate on the health challenge.”