Sara Lee to clarify whole-grain claim on bread

CHICAGO (Reuters) - Sara Lee Corp (SLE.N) will make clear how much actual whole-grain content there is in its white bread made with the grains under a legal settlement with a health advocacy group.

The settlement comes following a threat by the center for Science in the Public Interest to sue Sara Lee over how it promoted its "Soft & Smooth Made with Whole Grain White Bread," emphasizing the use of healthier whole grains.

Under the settlement, Sara Lee will disclose on the label that the bread is made with just 30 percent whole grains, as opposed to processed flour.

The label will also include wording that two slices of the bread have 10 grams of whole grains, while the U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends consumption of 48 grams of whole grains daily, CSPI said in a news release.

Sara Lee spokeswoman Sara Matheu confirmed details of the settlement and said the bread was meant to attract consumers who prefer white bread.

"It is a transitional bread for the white bread lover who would not otherwise consume whole grains," Matheu said.

Sara Lee shares were down 43 cents, or 3.3 percent, at $12.79 on Monday. The stock is down more than 20 percent this year as the company has been hammered by rising costs for wheat and other commodities.

(Reporting by Brad Dorfman; editing by Gunna Dickson)