WASHINGTON — US Wheat Associates has reached an agreement to collaborate with the Latin American Cereals Institute (IL Cereales) to promote the benefits of cereals and wheat foods as part of a healthy diet.

Based in Mexico City, IL Cereales’ members represent the largest wheat foods associations in Mexico, including the Mexican Millers Association (CANIMOLT), the Mexican Bakers Association (CANAINPA), the Mexican Association for Food Ingredients Suppliers for the Baking Industry (ANPROPAN), Grupo Bimbo SAB de CV and the Mexican Cookie, Cracker and Pasta Manufacturers’ Association (AMEXIGAPA). The group currently reaches Mexican consumers but plans to expand its mission to Central America.

As part of the collaboration, USW said it will share scientifically sound nutritional information, expert consultants and other resources with IL Cereales.

“We know the US wheat foods industry shares our goal to help consumers understand that cereals and wheat foods should always be part of a healthy, nutritious diet,” said Jose Antonio Monroy, chairman of IL Cereales.

The partnership was reached following a recent meeting between IL Cereales and USW in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.

“Together, we are responsible for providing a very large proportion of the primary food and nutrition to our citizens and, more broadly, the world’s citizens,” said Vince Peterson, president of USW. “We share common goals, and we commend Mexico’s wheat food industry leaders for creating IL Cereales. It is a pleasure to be a partner and productive resource in this much-needed work.”