Organic &
Wellness News
Wellness News
The international publication for organic and sustainable trade
Organic & Wellness News
The international publication for organic and sustainable trade
Warren Beaumont
Sweden’s organic sales account for 9 percent of total sales value and are growing to share the lead with Denmark as the country with the world’s highest organic market share per the latest figures. Ekoweb reports that Swedish organic retail food sales incre
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The Healthy Life group of natural health food stores has taken the lead in Australia's organic and complementary medicine retailing. It now has wholesale and retail operations and 50 stores in the country and is opening new stores. Healthy Life, Flannery's, and Oliver's
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UK-based Pukka Herbs was founded in 2001 by Tim Westwell and Sebastian Pole. The tea brand has become a consumer favourite due to its taste and flavour and its commitment to high quality ingredients. Warren Beaumont asked the founders five questions. OWN: Pukka Herbs tod
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Australian and New Zealand health ministers supported a draft standard at a Forum on Food Regulation, held April 28, that will allow low-THC hemp seeds to be legally sold as food. The action appears to back a report by the Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne re
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Sterilised palm fruit before extraction of the palm oilOver the last three decades, extensive areas of primary tropical forests rich in biodiversity have been cleared and covered with monoculture palm oil plantations, especially in Indonesia and Malaysia, destroying criti
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Carla Barboto with Pacari's latest range of organic chocolates at BIOFACH 2017First, it was dark, raw, grown organic, and following fair trade guidelines. Then Pacaribecame the first biodynamic fine chocolate made entirely in Ecuador, from tree to bar. It is the brand wit
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The Royal Quinoa Denomination of Origin was announced at BIOFACH 2017.A major milestone that guarantees the place of origin for Bolivia's organic Royal Quiona took place at the BIOFACH 2017 world organic fair in Nuremberg, Germany on February 16, with the announcement of
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Ecuador-based snack food company Terrafertil Nature's Heart, the largest natural food brand in Latin America and fastest growing natural brand in the UK, has added leading US superfood brand Essential Living Foods to its product roster and rapid company geographic expansi
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OatDeal 30g pouches for individual servings OATDEAL, based in Saskatoon, the largest city in Canada's Saskatchewan province, has produced the first gluten-free, dried oat-based smoothie mix made with 100 percent oats grown in the Canadian Prairies and 100 percent Can
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OATLY! beverage seen in DenmarkOat-based foods on supermarkets and health food store shelves seem to be expanding and being incorporated into a wider range of foods such as cereals and granolas, snack bars and bakery products, often mixed with Ancient Grains to tap into d
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The market for natural and organic products in Hong Kong is unique. It presents its challenges, but it also has some advantages. In the food sector, the supermarkets dominate 60 percent of the market. The Wellcome retailer, part of the Dairy Farm Group, and A.S Watson a
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South American producer Andean Grain Products is expanding its organic & conventional chia into retail-ready products, helped by increasing demand for high-quality omega-3 products and vegetarian proteins. Warren Beaumont spoke with company co-founder Thomas Spillane
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Mamma Chia, started by entrepreneur Janie Hoffman in 2009, has become a strong US based chia brand that besides an amazing and delicious line of energy drinks and bars has a strong commitment to sustainability and social justice programs. Here is some information Ms. Ho
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More Than ‘Just’ Green was Mintel’s clear message across the six key global packaging trends for 2016 announced at the end of last year: “Eco-responsible packaging that empowers social consciousness; clean-label messaging that enhances brand tra
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Chia seed, one of the most important ‘superfood’ crops now grown in Bolivia, was a major topic at BIOFACH 2016 in Nuremberg this year. The Netherlands’ Centre for the Promotion of Imports from developing countries (CBI) presented a Bolivian chia market
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Part of the cafe offer at About Life, Cammeray, Sydney.About Life has consolidated its position as Australia’s largest organic and whole foods retailer in 2016. The company has moved from five to eight retail stores, following the acquisition of three large store le
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There have been a lot of positive changes since early 2012 in central London, which has welcomed more organic, and whole foods stores and cafes to the city’s ‘Square Mile’. Standouts are Planet Organic’s new store on Tottenham Court Road, As Natu
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Announced in January 2016 was that UK retailer Asda, part of the Walmart Group, has become the newest member of EMD, one of the largest buying groups in Europe with a presence in 15 countries. Asda aims to increase its purchasing power and gain significant savings from
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BIOFACH 2016 and its sister fair for personal care VIVANESS welcomed an enormous range of organic products from all over the world to Nuremberg Messe, February 10-13. Organic 3.0 ‘Action for more organic’ and going ‘Beyond Organic’ were major the
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Hong Kong’s retail precincts are bursting with a growing number of outlets that stock natural and organic products, from upmarket supermarkets through to small organic stores and vegan cafés that OWN visited when covering Natural Products Asia this year. Hon
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Danish food minister Eva Kjer Hansen will introduce significant Danish levels for the carcinogenic food additive acrylamide while the Norwegian Scientific Committee for Food Safety recently completed an acrylamide risk assessment. The move follows the US Food and Drug
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Australian organic and sustainability associations and certifiers have agreed to push for a new, unifying national organic seal to allow better consumer identification of organic food and to help launch organic equivalency agreements with other countries. At the Nation
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Natural Products Expo West returns to Anaheim, California on March 9th – 13th, 2016 to the Hilton Anaheim and the Anaheim Convention Center, where new products turn into record profits, relationship building and ROI is always high and brand awareness builds moment
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How certified organic and sustainable food and beverage brands go ‘Beyond Organic’ to meet consumer expectations about the packaging of their products is an interesting dilemma for food and beverage companies, says Victor Bell, president of Environmental Packa
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Alnatura is to open its 100th store in Berlin in March 2016, following the opening of the new 675sqm Göttingen Alnatura Super Natur Markt in the first week of December. In the last fiscal year, ten new Alnatura markets were opened. Despite changing conditions Alna
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The European Patent Office (EPO) revoked a Monsanto-owned patent on melons for technical reasons, IFOAM EU said on January 20. The organic movement urged the Commission to stop patents on life and said that for years, the EPO used a biased interpretation of EU legislation
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Germany’s largest food retailer, Edeka Zentrale AG & Co, looks set to win control of the Kaiser’s supermarket business of German retailer Tengelmann after Edeka confirmed that the Federal Economics Minister Sigmar Gabriel intends to grant permission for
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Almost two years after its launch at Germany’s Anuga fair in 2013, Canadian organic snack bar brand MadeGood™ is growing in breathtaking volume and value and winning consumers seeking much healthier alternatives with “free-from” attributes. Made
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With Chinese visitors, students, and Australian online retailers and profiteers snapping up baby formula to ship to China at huge profits of up to 100 to 200 percent, Australian consumers were faced with a major shortage of natural and organic baby formula products on t
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Pacari Chocolate, the Ecuadorian gourmet, organic and biodynamic certified chocolate maker received ten new medals from the International Chocolate Awards (ICA), the most important contest in the fine chocolate industry. Pacari was recognised for its remarkable, innovat
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Mexico’s Best Ground has introduced new actions and products to position itself more strongly as a global supplier of high-quality agave sweeteners and ‘superfoods’ such as chia. Warren Beaumont reports. Best Ground has launched its first Fairtrade cer
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Group Casino of France has announced the creation of ICDC Services joint venture, with Spain’s DIA Group after the two supermarket and discount store groups decided to join forces internationally to boost their competitiveness relative to major suppliers of national
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The French bi-annual event for organic and ecological products returns to Paris Nord Villepinte Exhibition Centre this October 18-20th. Natexpo is an excellent way of entering the French market, and it also provides French professionals with a window on the world for th
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Vancouver, British Columbia-based organic foods manufacturer Nature’s Path Foods has acquired the Country Choice Organic brand from New Century Holdings, Inc., a subsidiary of Grain Millers, Inc. adding 18 Country Choice’s products that include canister oats
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A.S. Watson Group has reached a new milestone with the opening of its flagship Watsons store on Yun Ping Road in Causeway Bay, marking the Group’s 12,000th retail store in the world. Spanning over three storeys and covering an area of over 8,000 sq. ft., this new
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UHTCO, a Canadian supplier of high quality, nutritious natural health and food ingredients and supplements known as ‘superfoods’ from Peru that includes its own brands of natural and certified organic products, has officially launched into Hong Kong and Chin
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New research from Mintel found that while organics would seem tailor-made for shoppers seeking foods and beverages that are healthier for them, their families and the planet, many Americans perceive that the organic label is an excuse to sell products at a premium. The
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Retail sales of organic and natural food and beverages in the US, is growing strongly, reaching $35.9 billion in 2014, an 11 per cent rise on the previous year (OTA survey). While organic foodservice is currently not a large market, it is also growing with more foodser
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National Co+op Grocers (NCG), a business services cooperative for retail food co-ops located throughout the United States that includes leading natural and organic stores, announced that it reached agreement on a multi-year purchasing contract that names United Natural
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US non-profit, human health and environment advocacy group the Environmental Working Group (EWG) has released its EWG’s Dirty Dozen; Cancer prevention Edition, its latest consumer guide that highlights 12 of the worst chemicals that are known to disrupt cancer-rel
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Exhibitors at the Naturally Good Expo, Australia’s newest trade show aimed at the natural and organic market, has been welcomed as a success, after the failure of previous organic and sustainable shows. Held in Sydney 3-4 May, the Naturally Good Expo was Australia
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US foodservice wholesalers servicing restaurant & catering markets, restaurants, event caterers and retail foodservice at mainstream supermarkets and specialist wholefood and organic retailers are just some of the ‘catering’ channels where there is incre
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Led by high profile retailers such as The Fresh Market and Mariano’s, Specialty Gourmet supermarkets are making headway, now representing over $18 billion in sales, according to new data from information provider for the Natural, Organic and Specialty Products Ind
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Audrei Cavalho Suarez from COOPFAM cooperative Brazil. COOPFAM’s coffee carrying the Fairtrade mark is now sold in stores in Brazil. Photo credit Didier Gentilhomme Fairtrade InternationalBrazilian consumers now have the power to help farmers in Brazil and developin
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China is the world’s largest grocery market with the value of the organic food market estimated at US$7.8 billion to more than US$13 billion, while grocery market growth is expected to rise by 9% in 2014 to over 14% in 2020, according to IGD research. A market stud
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Michel-Edouard Leclerc (on left) and Alain Caparros at the signing of the agreement.French retailer E.Leclerc and the German REWE Group have decided to establish a strategic alliance expected to be effective in early 2016, announced by the CEOs of the two companies, Miche
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Dietary supplements and health foods company Midsona AB of Malmo, Sweden has agreed to acquire Danish organic food company Urtekram International A/S (Urtekram), Scandinavia’s largest organic wholesaler. The move in early June came six months after Midsona bought N
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Touch on Bio store, 5th arrondissment, Boulevarde Saint Germain, Paris.Organic groceries and fresh food are readily available in France. In Paris major supermarkets such as Carrefour and Casino which has the excellent Monop small store concept, range a wide variety of org
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Fairtrade is the most recognised ethical label in the world and while new labeling programs and changes over the last 18 months have not been without criticism, Fairtrade continues to empower and provide long term benefits for disadvantaged producers, farmers and workers.
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A new World Health Organization (WHO) guideline released in March recommends adults and children reduce their daily intake of free sugars to less than 10% of their total energy intake. A further reduction to below 5% or roughly 25 grams (6 teaspoons) per day would provide
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A new study on organophosphate chemical exposure in humans, published in the Environmental Health Perspectives Journal, provides more evidence to show that eating organic produce is a good way to avoid eating pesticides. The study provides a better understanding of the h
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Peruvian organic growers and suppliers are developing a high profile for their products in world manufacturing, retail and consumer markets. The South American country is a major source of organically grown and certified ‘superfood’ products such as maca, quin
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The Chinese health and beauty market has been growing at a fast pace with the rapid development of the Chinese economy in recent years as consumer demographics shift towards a younger and more affluent segment with more demand for luxury goods such as beauty and care prod
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China Resources Enterprise (CRE), which operates China’s second largest supermarket chain CR Vanguard, announced full year 2014 retail sales growth of 15.1% to HK$109.5bn, whilst reporting a loss of HK$1.4bn, down -285% on the previous year in a tougher trading envi
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China is the world’s largest grocery market with the value of the organic food market estimated at US$7.8 billion to more than US$13 billion, while grocery market growth is expected to rise by 9% in 2014 to over 14% in 2020, according to IGD research. A market stud
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The Netherlands was BIOFACH 2015 Country of the Year with Hall 5 showing off the amazing diversity and innovation of Dutch companies where you could source just about everything a manufacturer or retailer would need, organic, sustainable and fairly traded goods produced
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This year’s BIOFACH held in Nuremberg 12-14 February was a great success with exhibitors reporting that it was an even better show than last year for top retailer, wholesaler and buyer attendance, with more quality exhibitors and visitors and a fantastic atmosphere,
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This year’s BIOFACH held in Nuremberg 12-14 February 2015, was also a success for the natural and organic cosmetics industry at its showcase VIVANESS, the International Trade Fair for Natural Personal Care. In an area of over 5,000 m2 the sister event gathered durin
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Among the top trends seen at BIOFACH 2015 in February were raw and vegan from chocolates to raw nuts and spreads; more use of low GI sweeteners with yacon becoming the center of attention; more free-from and gluten-free foods; and bigger ranges of Ancient grain products s
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We are in the midst of a shift in our food supply toward natural, clean and healthy products. The evolution is evident not only in the climbing dollar sales of natural and organic products, nearing $100 billion this year, but also in the growing number of mainstream retai
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With the consumer backlash against refined sugars and the debate over whether stevia leaf sweeteners are really natural, along with the trend to raw and minimally processed ingredients, organic and natural sweeteners are seeing growing demand. One company that is benefit
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Global demand for naturally processed and organic sweeteners has grown since 2012-2014 due to campaigns in the U.S. and globally over rising sugar consumption and levels of sugar and high-fructose corn syrup in soft drinks and processed foods generally, and its link to ob
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The Anaheim Convention Center in California, will again host the annual Natural Products Expo West on March 5-7, 2014, with the event poised to draw over 60,000 attendees and feature over 2,500 exhibitors across natural and specialty foods, organic, supplements, health an
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The biennial Australian Organic Market Report released in November 2014 reveals key categories are driving exceptional growth results, with new categories adding to the 15%+ growth in the Aud$1.72 billion industry since 2009. Australian Organic, Australia’s largest
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The export of organic products by Dutch companies increased by an impressive 9% in 2013 and 15% in total trade; according to a survey by The Netherland’s organic industry representative group Bionext. A global player, the country’s organic exports are mainly c
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Customers at Metro Cash & CarryThe many food safety and food quality scares in recent years on the Chinese mainland have undermined consumer confidence in locally produced food and provide an opportunity for more imported certified organic foods and beverages. Where p
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A study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (January 2015 vol. 101) has found that a healthy Nordic diet reduces inflammatory gene expression in abdominal fat tissue compared with a control diet independent of body weight changes. Previously, a health
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Studies published in 2013 added to the growing body of evidence showing that tea consumption has the ability to help prevent chronic illness (More evidence shows drinking tea improves health, Organic & Wellness News Spring 2014) and now a new study published in the jo
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Andre Leu, president of the International Federation of Organic Movements (IFOAM) and an experienced organic farmer in Australia has published a must-read book called The Myths of Safe Pesticides that questions the corporate misinformation, lack of safety and scientific e
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Germany’s leading organic retailer Alnatura celebrated ‘30 years in Bio’ in 2014, posted record sales growth, is ramping up its retail store expansion with 10 more Alnatura Super Natural Markets planned for 2015, and opened its fourth Alnatura organic su
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The Naturally Good Expo, a new, exclusively trade only show and conference for Australia’s natural and organic products industry being held in Sydney, May 3-4, 2015, has received strong support from the trade in Australia. Australia’s previous industry show,
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The rediscovery of ancient foods like quinoa has now opened the door for other forgotten plants to go global. The prickly pear cactus and chia seeds are two of the latest such examples, having both been used by the ancient Aztecs. According to global research company Min
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Walking into Hobart, Tasmania’s natural and wholefoods store Eumarrah, I was struck by the warm earthy atmosphere, the use of natural wood, and the breadth of natural and organic foods on display in the state capital’s biggest specialist natural foods store.
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Fine Food Australia returned to the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre on 15-18 September. Over 1,000 industry suppliers, including 41 international countries, exhibited a wide range of products from packaged foods, beverages and ingredients to equipment and ser
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The proliferation of fair trade certification schemes and multinational food companies using fair trade only as a labelling and marketing tool was a major point of discussion at a Biofach 2014 seminar, Does Fair Trade Certification Matter. The discussion included concern
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A leading fair trade supplier in Europe, GEPA – The Fair Trade Company is a not-for-profit group which operates under the fair trade principles of the WFTO, partners and trades with 190 cooperatives, supplies 75 per cent of its products as certified organic, and rep
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Natural Products Scandinavia, the Nordic region’s only dedicated trade show for the natural health, nutrition, beauty, and self-care market, co-located with Nordic Organic Food Fair returns to Malmö, Sweden, on 26-27 October, 2014. Natural Products Scandinavia
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Key EU policy-makers and organic stakeholders met at the 8th European Organic Congress in Bari, Italy in mid September and agreed, that the EU must support the development of the organic sector across Europe to achieve a sustainable agricultural system that benefits peopl
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A trade agreement between Ecuador and the European Union was reached on July 17, which is expected to allow the Andean nation to increase its exports to the EU countries by at least $500 million over the next three years. “After almost four years of work, finally w
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The final line-up of keynote speakers has been announced for the 18th edition of the IFOAM Organic World Congress, to take place from 13 -15 October 2014 in Istanbul. The final line-up of keynote speakers are: Yemi Akinbamijo: Executive director of FARA (Forum for Agric
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Supply bottlenecks for organic chia sourcing reported by O.W.N. in May 2013 due to higher demand and lower crop yields appear to have eased this year, with a resulting drop in price, while some suppliers believe there are major issues over chia transparency and quality in
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2014 is the 90th anniversary since the Agriculture Course was given in Koberwitz, Germany in 1924, when Rudolf Steiner gave a series of eight lectures that became the basis for Biodynamic farming and gardening. Demeter International said that biodynamic associations from
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Held at BioFach 2014 in Nuremberg, Germany was a seminar and discussion on the future of the (Andean) quinoa market, convened by the Netherlands CBI – Centre for the Promotion of Imports from developing countries – led by Eva Smulder of CBI. About 50 people f
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During the 25th anniversary of BIOFACH, the World’s Leading Trade Fair for Organic Food and VIVANESS the International Trade Fair for Natural Personal Care running parallel 12-15 February, it was announced that the Netherlands will be the Country of the Year at next
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Renee Elliott opened her first organic shop in Westbourne Grove, London in 1995, inspired by a concept she had seen in the United States. In spite of the difficulties experienced during the first years of operation, she set about making the organic concept work. Today,
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The key theme for the BIOFACH 2014 Congress and indeed the whole trade fair, held at the Exhibition Centre Nuremberg 12-15 February was the future of organic agriculture and the organic food industry – Organic 3.0. The International Federation of Organic Agricultur
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BIOFACH and VIVANESS 2014 were again strongly supported by 42,445 trade buyers and visitors (41,794, 2013) from 135 countries (international share 44%) attending the 25th anniversary of the World’s leading Trade Fair for Organic Food and the International Trade Fai
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Amid increasing global demand for agri-food industries to report sustainability practices and performance, Chile’s food and wine sectors are creating a revolutionary new tool that will do just that. Chile is the first country to develop EcoBase, a database and calc
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Organic and Fairtrade tea companies had a strong presence at BIOFACH 2014, no doubt buoyed by increasing evidence of the health benefits of tea, with its high antioxidant and flavonol activity and solid, 5% to double-digit sales growth during 2013. Buyers were presented w
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The eighth edition of VIVANESS, the International Trade Fair for Natural Personal Care, was held from February 11-15 along with BIOFACH. This year, 192 exhibitors from 30 countries presented their products on a net space of 4,874 m², with many newcomers and niche bra
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A revitalised Fresh & Easy looks like the latest competitor to challenge Whole Foods Market, Inc. which is ramping up its value efforts in produce and fresh by adding more “high-grade” conventional offerings alongside organic products due to more competiti
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Group Casino has announced annual turnover of 48.6 billion Euro for its 2013 full-year results, an increase of 15.9% over 2012 with organic sales growth, exlcuding petrol and calendar effect, of 5.7%, helped by increased activity in France and strong international growth.
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Proposed revisions to the Nutrition Facts label, released last week by the Food and Drug Administration, received mostly high marks from the non-profit Center for Science in the Public Interest, which lobbied for the passage of the 1990 law requiring nutrition labels on p
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The new Fairtrade Sourcing Program for cocoa, a new commodity sourcing model that also applies to sugar and cotton, was launched by Fairtrade International in January following consumer research and testing. Already at launch nine companies have signed on to increase the
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BioFach, the World’s most international trade fair for organic products, celebrates its 25th edition this coming February 12-15. Over 2,400 exhibitors and more than 40,000 trade buyers are expected to congregate at the Exhibition Centre Nuremberg in Germany to be pa
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Organic, fair & ethical tea companies are benefiting from a global tea revival and consumer support for pesticide-free, sustainable tea, while retailer’s shelves are packed with an increasing range of tea varieties and flavors. Whether its high tea in a sophist
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French tea producer Les Jardins De Gaia (Gaia Gardens) is seeing a definite rise in demand for and sales of organic premium leaf teas and now supplies one of the widest range of organic and fair trade teas in Europe. And according to Les Jardins De Gaia export manager Au
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Decades worth of research show that tea may help prevent chronic illnesses. And new research shows tea helps promote weight loss and maintain a healthy weight, improve bone health and activate areas of the brain that bolster attention, problem solving and mood. While the
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Signature Estates teas come from the Darjeeling, Assam and the Nilgiris regions of India that have been run by the Chatterjee family for a hundred years, with 14 family estates producing tea that is all certified 100% pure by the Indian Tea Board and certified organic by
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The largest international professional organization of scientists who analyze and research medicinal plants and therapeutic derivatives has endorsed an educational program that advises industry, health professionals, and researchers about the challenges of adulterated her
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Germany’s organic product focused supermarket Alnatura opened a new Alnatura Super Natural Market in Munich in December at “forum on deer garden” the seventh branch in Munich, and its 83rd Alnatura market. The six other branches are located in the city
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Major chocolate trends over the last few years include the move to premium and certified organic dark chocolate, products that are single origin and have high cacao content, use of natural sweeteners such as agave, stevia, yacon or coconut sugar and increased sustainable
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Hong Kong is recognised as Asia’s distribution, trading and services hub for a wide range of consumer goods, a theme at Hong Kong business seminars held in Australia this fall. Asia household consumption expenditure growth is higher than North America and Europe and
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Fulda-based regional German grocer tegut… is undergoing renewal and expansion under the ownership of Swiss retailer Migros Zurich. Warren Beaumont spoke with head of corporate communications Stella Kircher. Thirty years ago, tegut… was one of the first re
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Made by Taste&Beauty of Ober-Grafendorf, Austria, Styx chocolate has enjoyed increasing demand for its organic and sustainably made chocolates in 2013, led by the introduction of the Styx brand into Russia. Styx’s origin had its beginning in the idyllic and dee
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Wilmar International, the world’s largest palm oil trader announced a No Deforestation Policy response to pressure from Greenpeace, NGOs and consumers around the world. The policy has the potential to be a landmark win for the world’s forests and the people th
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Fine Food Australia, held at the Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre, September 9-12, attracted a good mix of local and international exhibitors displaying organic products, foods and beverages. On the second day exhibitors told O.W.N. they were happy with the buyer
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A recent Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) consumer survey found that Japanese foods were the most popular globally and a close 3rd in the U.S. to Italian and Chinese food. This is great news for Japan Gold USA, a division of MUSO Co., pioneer in the Japanese orga
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Voted best international launch in 2012 at the annual exhibition industry awards in London this year, Natural Products Scandinavia returns to Malmo, Sweden’s first Fairtrade City this 20-21 October. With exhibition space almost sold out and representatives from 25 c
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Organic and natural snack foods are a growing category in specialist health food stores and major supermarkets around the world as consumers look for healthier and nutritious options that are free of pesticides, chemicals and GMOs. Packaged Facts estimates that 20% of al
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Demand for and sales of organics, fair trade and whole food products have increased over the last 6-12 months for Vancouver, Canada retailer Choices Markets. Recent stats in a Canada Organic Trade Association study stated that 57% of Canadians intend to buy organics each
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O.W.N. asked Matthew Holmes, executive director of the Canada Organic Trade Association (COTA), and Markus Arbenz, executive director of IFOAM, about the impact of free trade agreements and how they compare with organic equivalency agreements. What will free trade agreem
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Harmonisation of organic and natural cosmetics standards is now happening due to initiatives taken by leading certification groups such as BDIH, COSMEBIO, ECOCERT Greenlife, ICEA, SOIL Association and their associated certification bodies, who have been working on harmoni
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Widespread ‘greenwashing’ by conventional and ‘natural’ cosmetic brands that do not have organic certification but whose brand name or packaging contains messages such as ‘organic’, made with ‘certified organic ingredients’
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A study published in the Journal Appetite (Vol 62, 1 March 2013, pages 133-142) by Katrin Zander (University of Kassell, Germany) et al, ‘Promising ethical arguments for product differentiation in the organic food sector. A mixed methods research approach’ su
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The European Commission is due in September to reconsider the EU’s rules on organic farming, including a likely review of certification standards and an assessment of the potential risks posed by genetically modified crops. The Commission’s forthcoming roadma
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NATEXPO, the leading international biennial fair for French organic, dietary and ecologic food and products returns for the 2013 edition, to be held Sunday 20, Monday 21 and Tuesday 22 October 2013 at Paris-Nord Villepinte (HQE) environmentally certified Hall 7. Buyers w
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The Scandinavian organic market, especially in Denmark, Norway and Sweden continues to expand with retailers and industry associations reporting strong growth figures in grocery and fruit and vegetables. Despite Danes becoming more price-conscious during the financial cri
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Paris department store group Galeries Lafayette has announced that the BHV Rivoli store’s new beauty area will offer the greatest selection of perfumes, make-up and skin care in the Le Marais district of Paris at Le Bazar de l’Hôtel De Ville, 52 Rue de R
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UK high street retailer Marks & Spencer has indicated it will open full-line stores and the Simply Food format in The Netherlands over the next two years. M&S is returning to the Netherlands with the opening of an Amsterdam-based store that will carry a food and n
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Continuing shortages of popular ‘superfood’ ingredient chia were cited by researcher Euromonitor and major organic and natural foods supplier Hain Celestial as a growing issue in April and March. Hain Celestial says second half chia pricing was expected to be
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Tracking exports annually from 74 member companies OrganicsBrazil has been an export promotion project, geared to assist Brazilian companies develop this channel, says executive coordinator, Ming Liu. In spite of strong growth in the domestic market, in 2012 co
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The Ancient Grain and gluten-free trend shows no signs of slowing down in natural and organic retail markets worldwide as consumers increasingly choose ancient super foods like chia, amaranth, cañihua and quinoa for their health and nutritional benefits. Quinoa dem
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Health & Wellness, Authentic Appeal, Artisan Appreciation and Local & Sustainable are the key consumer drivers with the most power to propel culinary trends, according to the recent A Look Backward & Forward Culinary Trend Mapping Report, a joint publication o
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Global demand for naturally processed, organic sweeteners is growing due to campaigns and issues in the U.S. and the EU in 2012 concerning soda (sugar) beverages and artificial and alternative sweeteners such as sucralose and aspartame, while stevia is providing challen
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The health food industry has received a major boost with an increased presence of organic, Kosher, Halal and gluten-free products at international food fairs. One of the 10 halls under the Anuga umbrella in Germany is for organic foods; more and more gourmet produ
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As announced, NürnbergMesse Brasil and Francal Feiras will launch this coming June 27-30 their joined trade fairs for organic products Bio Brazil Fair/BioFach América Latina. The largest business platform for the organic sector in the country, will be hosted
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Since 2008 Machu Picchu Foods, Peru's number one exporter of cocoa derivatives has operated a Development and Sustainability Program to improve productivity and the quality of life of organic smallholder farmers that supply the company’s organic cocoa operation. Mac
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U.S. families are increasingly embracing organic products in a wide range of categories, with 81% now reporting they purchase organic at least sometimes. This finding is one of many contained in the Organic Trade Association’s (OTA’s) newly released 2013 U.S.
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A coalition of U.S. consumer, health, food safety and fishing groups launched the “Campaign for Genetically Engineered (GE)-Free Seafood” on April 5 by announcing that several major grocery retailers representing more than 2,000 stores across the U.S. have com
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Carrefour has opened a store in Paris dedicated to organic products under the 'Carrefour Bio' banner and is also working on a plan to expand its Brazilian and Chinese businesses by early 2014. The store, on Boulevard Diderot, opened 20 March and has a sales area of 170 sq
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Quinua Real is entering the next chapter of its growth and development from a Brazilian organic pioneer to a global supplier of quinoa Andean food products with the launch of Quinua Real® syrup, the first organic certified syrup from quinoa into the market, an innovat
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J Sainsbury, the UK’s third biggest supermarket group after Tesco and Walmart-owned Asda, reported a rise in sales over recent months - due in part to avoiding the horsemeat scandal. Sainsbury has a 17% market share and reported a 1.8% increase in like-for-like sale
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At the UK’s Oxford Farming Conference in early January the UK’s Soil Association rejected statements supporting GM crops in the UK from environment secretary Owen Paterson. Mr Paterson said: “GM needs to be considered in its proper overall context with
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More countries are rejecting and banning genetically modified (GM) crops and questioning the productivity or pest-resistance of GM crops as evidence grows that more chemicals being used in GM agriculture. EU countries issuing or renewing bans on GM crops recently included
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O.W.N. talked with IFOAM EU Group director Marco Schlüter to find out what IFOAM EU is all about, recent achievements, challenges and strategies for 2013. Who are IFOAM EU’s stakeholders and how do they benefit from your work? The IFOAM EU Group is a non-prof
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Naturkost de Mexico, a subsidiary of Naturkost Übelhör (Germany), recently opened in Guadalajara a processing facility for chia seeds with state-of-the-art equipment. It is among the first worldwide to be certified ISO 22000 in food safety for chia processing.
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Since 2008 Machu Picchu Foods, Peru’s number one exporter of cocoa derivatives has operated a Development and Sustainability Program to improve productivity and the quality of life of organic smallholder farmers that supply the company’s organic cocoa operatio
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Carla Barboto and Santiago Peralta, co-founders Pacari Chocolate, overall winner among the best brands at Intl. World’s Chocolate Awards 2012Maker of single-origin dark organic chocolate Pacari Chocolate of Ecuador was recognized as the world’s best maker of h
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EUROPE Switzerland’s Migros Zurich takes over German supermarket Tegut Starting in January, Migros Zurich, one of the Swiss market leader's co-operatives, will acquire the supermarket business of German group tegut. This chain introduced organic food almost 30 yea
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Alnatura, Germany. OWN archives.Private label or store brand food and beverage dollar sales topped $98 billion in 2011 to account for 17.6% of total food and beverage retail sales, according to Private Label Food and Beverages in the U.S., a recent report from market rese
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The EU’s Article 13.1 for general health claim regulations started on June 14 this year and from December 14, 2012, any claims that are not authorized and not on hold/under consideration will be prohibited. This closes the door on many long-used health claims and mo
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Superfoods and ancient grains such as quinoa, chia, kamut, farro, spelt, millet, amaranth and freekeh, which are high in fiber, protein, vitamins and minerals and in many cases are also gluten-free, high in omega-3s and antioxidants are proving to be popular ingredients u
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The 2nd Asia-Pacific edition of the Sustainable Cosmetics Summit, the 9th edition of the international series of summits, drew to a successful close in Hong Kong in November. A major outcome is that the Asian cosmetics industry needs to raise the bar for sustainability. T
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In just a year, sales of organic products to Danish catering operations, canteens and public institution kitchens went up 46%, while the number of organic canteens has almost tripled in 2012. And organic produce is now becoming as common a sight in Danish canteens as it i
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Food service is a major opportunity for suppliers of organic and sustainable foods, from café chains such as Starbucks and Pret A Manger through to major natural health food stores, supermarket chains, chefs and caterers are cooking up a major point of difference t
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The EU-USA Organic Equivalency Agreement that allows EU member state producers to sell their products as organic in the U.S. with local EU organic standards and without mandatory USDA NOP certification has been welcomed by EU officials and exporters. However, an unintende
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Suppliers of chia in Latin America are working together to establish a regional organization to provide education, health and scientific data and to develop standards and a transparent framework in which to further conduct the chia business. The Chia Council would include
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The European Union and the United States announced at the BioFach World Organic Fair in Nuremberg on February 15 that beginning June 1, 2012, organic products certified in the EU or in the US may be sold as organic in either region. Formal letters creating this partnershi
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From animal clay shapes with sprouted seeds popular in the U.S. market during the 1980s, to superfood known by a few foodies and found at some natural health food stores in the 1990s, Chia seeds have been gaining momentum during the last five years reaching now the full s
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Daabon Group gained the Rainforest Alliance certification in January 2012 for all five palm oil plantations in different locations, a significant sustainability achievement and new milestone for the largest employer in northern Colombia. Daabon has over 3,000 employees an
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The development and growth of natural sweeteners such as agave, yacon and stevia has been driven by concerns over rising levels of obesity and diabetes and also with sweeteners such as high fructose corn syrup. Researchers in LWT – Food Science and Technology recent
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Gluten-free cosmetics are now being seen in skin creams, body care, vitamins and other products absorbed by the skin as celiac disease sufferers and consumers aim to avoid allergic reactions or accidental ingestion. There has been a 43% increase in body care products bein
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Luc DesbiensNatural sweetener popularity across the board continues to rise; the category is up 8 percent according to the SPINS scan. Agave, which is 1.4 times sweeter than sugar, has been a driving force in the overall growth of the sweetener industry. Agave-based swe
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Germany’s Naturkost Übelhör, a world leader in high quality organic ingredients such as Sachia® chia seed and chia oil, is celebrating 25 years commitment to organic cultivation and the organic industry. The firm was founded by entrepreneur Josef Ü
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Consumer demand for all-natural sweeteners keeps growing. The category is up 8 percent according to the SPINS scan. Agave, which is 1.4 times sweeter than sugar, has been a driving force in the overall growth of the sweetener industry. Agave-based sweeteners sold nearly $
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Despite the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) association leading the push to increase the amount of certified sustainable palm oil being produced and used globally, the World Wild Fund For Nature (WWF) says that while companies are buying more certified sustainab
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This past year was one of change. In 2011, the global population reached seven billion, food prices continued to climb and a gloomy economy clouded with social and political uncertainty prevailed. Natural disasters like the devastating tsunami in Japan shocked the world a
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Australia’s leading manufacturer of macadamia-based foods and oils Brookfarm recently had their products ranged on the shelves of prestigious USA retailer Williams Sonoma stores. Brookfarm also sells through Whole Foods Market and is now looking to expand distributi
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Consumers now associate food with health and wellness and new studies and reports covered by the media have contributed to an increase in the purchase of functional food and natural supplements. Omega-3 fatty acids, vital nutrients to human health, are one of the most wid
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Flora Manufacturing & Distribution, a long-established BC, Canada-based producer of cold-pressed, unrefined nutritional oils is seeing a positive growth trend for Omega-3 products. The range includes flax oil, pumpkin seed oil, canola oil, evening primrose oil and Udo
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The 31st international food biennal Anuga returns to Cologne where more than 6,500 suppliers from over 100 countries will meet an estimated 150,000 international trade buyers at the Koelnmesse fairgrounds. Anuga is the largest food fair in the world and offers a unique co
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Melbourne-based Australian producer of premium quality, raw organic chocolate Loving Earth takes pride in supplying what it describes as “fairly-traded, single origin” organic chocolates. Loving Earth is now sourcing its organic cacao from a co-operative in Sa
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Following its debut in April at the Natural & Organic Products Europe (NOPE) show in London, export activities of bamboo charcoal products by Australian firm Pure Bamboo have taken off. Managing director Ingo Shomacker said the company has made new export contacts in
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Many exhibitors reported good sales and feedback for the trade day and two consumer days at Australia’s leading show Organic Expo and Green Show held at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre, August 5-7, 2011. Six out of seven exhibitors spoken to about the t
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When implementing the Green Cube Program at the beginning of 2009, leading global plastics manufacturer Promens asserted its commitment to sustainability and said it is continually striving to create new packaging that respects the environment, and integrates sustainabili
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Based on a networking event offered by The Hong Kong Trade Development Council in Sydney to assist retailers in exploring business opportunities in Hong Kong and mainland China. Bonnie Shek, director Australia & New Zealand HKTDC said that Hong Kong’s populatio
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Koala Baby features recycled and sustainable, but upmarket packaging and a cheeky Koala.Leading Australian Jasmin Skincare manufacturer was the first organic skin care brand to gain organic certification in China in 2009. With the response beyond their expectations, found
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Cardboard packaging made from recycled newspapers have been linked by Swiss scientists to health complaints in lab rats, ranging from the inflammation of internal organs to cancer, the UK Daily Mail reported in March. Researchers at the Food Safety Laboratory in Zurich sa
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Compiled by Warren Beaumont Major researchers such as SPINS Inc, Mintel UK and Packaged Facts point to a major expansion in gluten-free, allergy-free and free-from foods as food allergies, gluten-intolerance and celiac disease, and diabetes are on the rise. Food allergy
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Rosemary extracts are used as natural preservatives in the organic industry and rosemary extracts derived from organic production can now be used in the EU as antioxidants in organic food when ethanol is used for the extraction. French natural speciality ingredients group
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