Preface to the World Day of Bread

Bread is probably the most spread food product all over the world. It is indeed a symbol of food, the food “par excellence”. However, although almost everybody on earth has heard about bread –and has even tasted it-, very few people do really know about the outmost importance it has on our daily diet. And this statement does not only apply to the countries and cultures where bread is not the main input, but also to the many, many countries where it is.

In fact, most consumers are not aware of how good and profitable the consumption of bread is for their health. Nor about the many necessary nutrients with which a bread-rich diet is providing them.

To inform people about the benefits of eating bread is one of the main reasons why U.I.B. (Union Internationale de la Boulangerie) is promoting the WORLD BREAD DAY every year on October 16 th .

More than 30 countries in Europe and America participate in this event, each of them carrying out different activities, depending on their national circumstances.

It has not been easy to have all these countries working together towards a common goal. But a lot of enthusiasm has been set forward by the National Federations and, year after year, the WORLD BREAD DAY is becoming one of the main events developped by bakers; and is contributing to improve the knowledge that, not only the consumers, but also the Governments and the International Health Organisations have about our products and our sector. And, of course, in many ways, it makes our people become so proud of being a baker!

I can but be sure that the importance of this event for our sector will increase more and more as the years go by. That is why I encourage everybody in UIB to participate, and wish to thank so many for their contribution to its success.

Emilio Madrid

President UIB