(PRWEB) December 23, 2014

Once known mainly to organic food co-op members and health food fanatics, sprouted grain products are poised to make a leap into the popular consciousness in 2015, similar to the quinoa explosion in 2014. On the heals of recent introductions by King Arthur Flour and Panera restaurants, one of the nations most mainstream food retailersSams Clubis now preparing to jump onto the sprouted grain bandwagon. Beginning Saturday, Dec. 27, the chain will offer sprouted seven-grain bread and dinner rolls from Angelic Bakehouse as part of its Health and Wellness set at all 634 locations nationwide. The momentum will then continue in February with the introduction of Kelloggs new Kashi sprouted grain cereal.

The growth of sprouted grain productswhich are typically higher in proteins and vitamins and lower in calories and carbohydrates than other whole grainsis the latest example of Americas growing awareness of healthy food choices.

The sprouted grain category has been growing steadily for several years, says Angelic Bakehouse CEO/Owner Jenny Marino. But now that major brands like Panera, Kelloggs and Sams Club are embracing it, we think it is poised to go mainstream in 2015. Like quinoa last year, sprouted grain is about to become a very familiar term with health-conscious consumers.

Sprouted grain products are made from whole grains and seeds that have been soaked long enough to sprout, after which they are then ground and baked. Unlike white breads and other refined grain products, they use the whole grainincluding the nutrient-rich germ and bran, as well as the endosperm. Sprouted grains contain more protein and less fat than other breads. They have about 75 percent of the carbohydrates of whole grains, as well as 60 percent less fat and slightly more protein. Sprouted grains also have more fiber, are easier to digest and contain less gluten than other breads.

While many companies are starting to make products with sprouted grain flour, Angelic Bakehouse is one of only a handful of bakeries in the United States that uses a sprouted grain mash. The mash method of production involves significantly less processing than flour, preserving the taste and texture of real fermented grains and eliminating any bitter aftertaste. Angelics proprietary mash mixture comes from seven grains, including ancient grains like quinoa and amaranth.

Milwaukee-based Angelic Bakehouse produces a range of sprouted grain breads, buns, rolls, pizza crusts and wraps. A Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI)-certified facility, none of its products are made with genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Angelic bakery is sold nationwide at retailers including Woodmans Markets, Whole Foods Market, Safeway, Sprout Farmers Market, Sendiks Food Market, Heinens, Hy-Vee, Lunds, Marianos Fresh Market, and Richards Foodporium. The company also produces private label products for major food retailers.

Angelic Bakehouses products will be located in the freezer section of Sams Club locations. Sampling of both products will be conducted at most Sams locations on Tuesday, Jan. 6. Additional information can be found at angelicbakehouse.com.

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The New Quinoa? Sprouted Grain About to Go Mainstream

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- Grocer Whole Foods (WFM) has one message for rivals such as Target (TGT) , Walmart (WMT) and Kroger (KR) that are trying to sell more organic food to customers in 2015: Bring it on.

While its competitors have rapidly increased their sales and offerings of organic foods in the last year, Whole Foods co-CEO Walter Robbsaid in an interview with TheStreet that his company still holds a considerable edge. "A lot of our product is produced specifically for our standards, it's not like someone could go out and replicate us tomorrow," said Robb, who has held the top spot at Whole Foods along with founder John Mackeysince 2010. Whole Foods also plans to continue lowering prices on organic produce, open over a hundred fancier-looking stores and remodel many older locations. Must Read: How Clorox's New CEO Hopes to Wipe Away Competitors in 2015

Shares of Whole Foods are down 16.9% this year, mostly reflecting a plunge earlier in the year sparked by concerns of slowing comparable store sales growthand margin pressure borne from increased competition. But the stock has since recovered some 15% in the last six months, as Whole Foods has demonstrated to Wall Street its efforts to reignite sales through cheaper prices and store remodels are yielding results.

Discount retailers and traditional grocery stores have achieved impressive results in selling organics.

"We had double-digit percentage growth (sales) in natural organics, and if you go back to our Simple Truth brand, we'll hit a billion dollars this year," remarked Kroger senior vice president and CFO Mike Schlotman in an earnings call on Dec. 4. Kroger continues to add more organic food products in dairy and lunch meats. Walmart'swarehouse business Sam's Club is on a pace to double the number of organic foods it sells to members by the end of 2014. Recent introductions in the organic category have included chia seeds, breakfast bars and squeezable fruit pouches. Meanwhile, Target has brought a number of exclusive organic and natural items to its shelves in partnership with its suppliers, and new chairman and CEO Brian Cornell has hinted further news on the organic food front is coming in early 2015. Must Read: Macy's CEO: Big Things are in the Works

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Why Whole Foods Isn't Worried About Rivals Selling More Organic Food

A bid by the WA government to allow a certain amount of GM material in organic food has failed.

A bid by the West Australian government to allow a certain amount of genetically modified material in certified organic food has failed.

The WA Department of Agriculture and Food made a submission to the Organic Industry Standards and Certification Council in June, seeking a 0.9 per cent GM tolerance level.

But Australia's zero tolerance remains after the council rejected the application last week.

"The committee felt it was not consistent with the Codex Alimentarius (Commission) food standards code guidelines for organic production, which specifically prohibits any GM content in organic products," a council spokeswoman told AAP on Tuesday.

"The WA government had made mention of the US and the EU allowing a tolerance.

"The EU actually doesn't allow it in organic standards by default in its overall conventions and the US standards for organic regulation prohibits GMO."

She said anti-GM group FoodWatch had sent a petition signed by about 3000 people who objected to the WA government's submission.

"Just as the WA government is tenacious, they really mobilised themselves," she said.

Meanwhile, supporters of Kojonup organic famer Steve Marsh have raised more than $40,000 to help pay a potential court costs bill after he lost a landmark GM battle.

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WA government's GM food bid fails

A bid by the WA government to allow a certain amount of GM material in organic food has failed.

A bid by the West Australian government to allow a certain amount of genetically modified material in certified organic food has failed.

The WA Department of Agriculture and Food made a submission to the Organic Industry Standards and Certification Council in June, seeking a 0.9 per cent GM tolerance level.

But Australia's zero tolerance remains after the council rejected the application last week.

"The committee felt it was not consistent with the Codex Alimentarius (Commission) food standards code guidelines for organic production, which specifically prohibits any GM content in organic products," a council spokeswoman told AAP on Tuesday.

"The WA government had made mention of the US and the EU allowing a tolerance.

"The EU actually doesn't allow it in organic standards by default in its overall conventions and the US standards for organic regulation prohibits GMO."

She said anti-GM group FoodWatch had sent a petition signed by about 3000 people who objected to the WA government's submission.

"Just as the WA government is tenacious, they really mobilised themselves," she said.

Meanwhile, supporters of Kojonup organic famer Steve Marsh have raised more than $40,000 to help pay a potential court costs bill after he lost a landmark GM battle.

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Government's GM food bid fails