The UK’s organic sector is waking up to the need to market its key messages and is planning a conference to examine consumer attitudes and share experiences.
Organic certification alone no longer covers all the ethical and sustainable considerations of consumers, according to Organic Monitor, which says new ‘Organic Plus’ strategies are now emerging.
Organic, lower sugar and reduced carbohydrate foods that have seen growing interest in Western European and North American markets are likely to become importantly popular in markets like Japan in coming years, says research.
DD Williamson has succeeded in sourcing certified annatto extracts for use as food colors, opening up new possibilities for manufacturers to make organic claims on foods.
FoodNavigator talks to Peter Melchett, policy director at the Soil Association, about communication efforts to help more consumers understand and engage in organics, and the all-important issue of climate change.
The Soil Association has called for broader communication of organic issues, saying that consumers are bewildered by so many ethical options and many are unaware of its wider benefits.
The UK organic sector is cheered by a 1.7 per cent increase in the market in 2008 despite the gloom of recession, as a report from the Soil Association sees consumers buying cheaper organics instead of switching back to conventional foods.
Mariann Fischer Boel, member of the European Commission responsible for Agriculture and Rural Development, said the organic food sector needs the support of good legislation, which would help build consumer awareness and trust.
The amount of land dedicated to organic produce is growing due to government backing and market forces, opening up opportunities particularly in developing countries, according to a new report.
Africa needs to grow and export more organic produce to help tackle issues of food security and sustainability and help meet global demand which continues to grow, according to a UN agency report.
The UK’s Soil Association has decided to allow organic air freighted food to carry its certification mark, despite proposing in 2007 that it should not be certified unless it also met fair trade and ethical standards.
Market analysis have expressed concern that demand for organic food will shrink in the tight economic situation, as consumers become less willing to part with a premium.
The EU needs to channel more funding into organic research to counter the ills facing agriculture, say advocates at the launch of the new Technology Platform: Organics.
Batches of organic oats being sold in the UK could be flouting the law after an investigation found they contain the pesticides Chlormequat or Glyphosate, according to the Soil Association.
A six-year effort to harmonise trade in organic produce between markets with different standards and environmental conditions has yielded fruit, with the launch of two tools to establish equivalence between standards and improve market access for farmers...
New product launches for organic sweets in Europe increased by a factor of six from 2006 to 2008 suggesting confectioners are starting to tap into new organic revenue streams as this burgeoning food trend spills over into confectionery.
Organic has an image problem. As some consumers fear they are, quite literally, priced out of the farmers market, it’s time to stir up more debate about organic as a set of principals, not as a status symbol.
Organic food was once seen as a niche market but now major multinationals are offering organic products. In fact it has been one of the biggest trends in the food sector in recent years but do organics have staying power, or will consumers lose interest...
UK supermarket Tesco has announced that it is drastically reducing the price of organic produce by up to 25 per cent, in response to feedback from consumers who are feeling the effects of the credit crunch.
A new study from Denmark has added to debate about whether organic food is healthier than conventionally grown, as it concludes there is no evidence in favour of the argument.
The organic trend appears to have reached a plateau as consumer interest is waning and attention turns to other food categories such as fresh, local and fair trade, a new report claims.
Organic food has been one of the biggest trends in the food sector in recent years. FoodNavigator is seeking your views on whether organics have staying power, or whether consumers will lose interest over time.
The European Commission has launched a campaign to inform consumers of the benefits of organic food and support those involved in the ever-growing organic market.
As the perception of health and taste benefits from organic produce drives sales across all demographics, opportunities are arising in every sector of the food industry.
A debate has ignited over the nutritional benefits of organic produce compared to conventional, with recent analysis disputing claims of its nutritional superiority.
UK company Ulrick & Short has received new Soil Association
accreditation for two of its products, allowing it to market these
already clean label ingredients as organic.
Cadbury is Britain's most trusted chocolate and confectionery
brand, according to a 2008 Reader's Digest survey, despite
Cadbury-Schweppes being fined £1m last year for allowing the sale
of salmonella-contaminated chocolates.
National Starch is extending its range of Novation functional
native starches to include two new starches from waxy maize that
are suitable for use in products geared towards the certified
organic trend.
ADM Cocoa has introduced new procedures in its cocoa facilities in
the UK so as to be able to supply a new range of certified organic
chocolate to its food industry customers.
Major US peanut and peanut ingredient supplier the Golden Peanut
Company has launched two new organic peanut flours and an organic
roasted peanut oil, to meet growing demand for both organic and
nutritional finished products.
Canadian specialty foods firm SunOpta has completed the acquisition
of Dutch organic ingredients company, Tradin Organic Agriculture,
it announced yesterday.
Organic food makers must make alliances with ingredients firms and
farmers to ensure they have a secure supply of organic ingredients
in the face of increasing demand, advises Frost & Sullivan.
SunOpta is set to complete its acquisition of Tradin Organic
Agriculture in the next few weeks having faced delays due
to the internal financial issues.
Gum Technology has launched a new natural, cold soluble carrageenan
blend said to offer an instant rich texture for products ranging
from smoothies to frozen pizza crust.
Frutatom has announced new investment in its US flavor operations,
this time radically expanding its New Jersey facility to house new
R&D capabilities.
Agar and carrageenan are set to lose their status as organic
ingredients later this year, pending a review by the National
Organic Standards Board (NOSB), which would impact on the status of
foods using them.
'Kosher' was the most frequently used claim on new products
launched in the US during 2007, while 'All Natural' and 'No
Additives or Preservatives' were amongst the other most popular
claims used on new...
The acquisition of Tradin Organic Agriculture by fast-expanding
SunOpta will enable it to extend its current organic programs while
adding new sourcing projects worldwide.
The proposed restrictions on air freighting of organic produce into
the UK could have implications for the flavour industry, as some
valuable raw materials are grown far way and would not survive
lengthy sea freighting times.
Unreliable organic supplies are stunting the growth of over half of
US organic food manufacturers, according to a new report by the
nation's industry association.
Organic produce that is flown into the UK may not be certified as
organic until it meets standards on ethical and fair trade, the
Soil Association proposed today, a decision that has stirred up
fears for the livelihoods of farmers...
A Californian mushroom firm could face fraud investigations
following accusations that it has violated organic standards and
country of origin labeling laws.
Manufacturers of organic goods may no longer use certain nonorganic
color ingredients or the food additive potassium tartrate,
following the publication of a new rule by the US Department of
Agriculture (USDA).
Aurora Organic Dairy is the subject of class action lawsuits being
filed today, which allege that the firm has violated organic
requirements in some of its dairy farms.
Ingredient group SunOpta has expanded its soy manufacturing
facilities in New York, a move that the company says will improve
its supply and service to east coast customers.
