The X-Rite product line began with densitometers and sensitometers used to measure optical or photographic density and to expose photographic films to a standard reference.

The committee also established 15 new reference preparations, which are global measurement standards that guide manufacturers and regulatory authorities on the activity of biological medicines.

The index was developed by testing the glucose response to a standard amount of carbohydrate against a reference food, either pure glucose (index number 100) or white bread (71).