The Gi Symbol is no longer served by the Glycemic Index Foundation who was based in Australia. They have closed their doors on 30 November 2024. The reasons for this happening are not known to us, but two things must have contributed to their closure, the first being the retirement of Professor Jenny Brand Miller, who was always the driver of the wider GI vision. The other reason is that they found it increasingly difficult to stay viable as an organisation.

However, the trusted Gi Symbol is still available to Australian and other international food companies outside of South Africa.

The GI Foundation of South Africa (GIFSA) has taken over all management aspects of the Gi Symbol as from 1 January 2025. Being the first Glycemic Index related endorsement and certification body in the world, GIFSA is an ideal position to do this and possibly the only endorsement organisation, who can step in and take over all the functions associated with the Gi Symbol. There have not been any opposition from former Australian stakeholders of the Gi Symbol and GIFSA is thus the unopposed custodian of the Gi Symbol, with transfer of ownership for it in process.

With the GIFSA endorsement logos, Frequent Foods, Often Foods, Active Foods and Exercise Foods well established in South Africa, we aim to serve the international food brands in the same efficient manner with the Gi Symbol. The Glycemic Index has established itself as a key factor in healthy eating and community health. It is the main pillar of understanding the contribution of carbohydrates to a healthy balanced diet and it remains GIFSA’s commitment to promote this as far and wide as possible, in our pursuit of having an effect on the health of communities and as many people as possible.

1. It Starts with your contacting us explaining the kind of products you would like endorsed with the Gi Symbol

2. We keep your information strictly confidential and issue you a letter, or a non-disclosure document in this regard.

3. To do a theoretical Gi and nutritional calculation we would also need your nutritional information (the glycemic carbohydrate value is important) and a list of the ingredients. The initial evaluation is fairly cheap: 150USD and suggestions are made. Follow up calculations after changes to the formula may be necessary, but the cost is still cheap at 100USD.

4. We would then do a Glycemic Index test on human subjects in accordance with ISO26642, after receiving samples of your product. GIFSA’s fee is 1100USD (once off). There is usually a waiting period of a couple of weeks (or months) depending upon our testing schedule.

5. If your product meets all the criteria you may opt to participate in the Gi Symbol endorsement program. The fee for each of the logos is 850USD annually for the first product. A 50% discount for second and subsequent products within a range is standard. You sign a Licensing Agreement contract with GIFSA that would fix the fee for three years with a 3% annual increase.

6. At the heart of the endorsement is that

7. See under CONTACTS to send GIFSA an email. We will be happy to serve you.