Organic &
Wellness News
Wellness News
The international publication for organic and sustainable trade
Organic & Wellness News
The international publication for organic and sustainable trade
Certification & Legislation
The U.S Organic Trade Association has outlined its position on the use of certified organic flavors in organic products and that it is no longer appropriate to allow the use of non-organic natural flavors in organic products. The move comes as a new rule was published by
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Several French mayors asked French President Emmanuel Macron to take action about banning pesticides such as glyphosate, following the president’s calls for “moderation” during a Congress of Mayors, which took place on Tuesday 19 November in Paris, accor
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The latest organic sales and statistics for organic product sales released earlier this year show continued growth in agricultural growers and land use. And a much stronger increase in annual sales over the previous year: the EU, up almost 11 percent in 2017; the UK up 5.
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Photo courtesy of Whole Foods MarketMore than a fad, the appearance of Burger King’s plant-based “Impossible Whopper” and the increasing variety of plant-based and alternative protein options available in grocers’ dairy and meat cases highlight the
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The Brazilian Amazon faces its worst spate of forest fires since 2010 with deforestation tripling. According to reports by Reuters and EURACTIV news, combatting forest fires, and slash and burn practices in Brazil should become one of the priorities of the new European Pa
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Advocacy groups for non-GMO and organically produced food in the US, the EU and Australia called on their federal governments and lawmakers in July-August to maintain current genetically modified organisms’ legislation and not to allow self-regulation or include GM/
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In the US, non-consumable, hemp-based cannabidiol (CBD) products have been popping up on shelves within major retail outlets and generating a big buzz. Nielsen Insights research predicts that by 2025, the US hemp-derived CBD market could be a USD6 billion industry, while
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Amid health concerns and dire climate crisis predictions, more consumers are buying plant-based beverages than ever before. But are they the right choice for everyone? Cornucopia’s new report, “Pouring” Over Plant-Based Beverages, takes an in-depth look
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The Vegan Society has warned in late April that the proposal to ban the use of traditional meat names like ‘burger’ and ‘sausage’ for vegan and veggie food products will result in “excessive administrative burdens” to all public entitie
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Small-scale farmers play an important role in global food production, but they often benefit least from global trade. To strengthen the power of farmers in trade relationships, Fairtrade International announced a new version of its certification standard for small-scale f
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A third US Roundup trial started in California on March 28th. Alva and Alberta Pilliod, both with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, allege the disease was caused by their regular use of Monsanto's herbicides to treat their properties for several years. On March 27th, a California ju
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Non-profit U.S. sustainable and organic farming advocate Cornucopia Institute in a series of media releases and a virtual press conference in mid to late March 2019, said that some certifiers are betraying organic farmers and consumers, while the USDA has “willfully
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With EU organic product sales growing strongly by 69 percent between 2010 and 2017 and despite improvements in the control of organic farming, the European Court of Auditors (ECA) said more work is needed to prevent food fraud and ensure that organic standards are met, as
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With the UK's Fairtrade Fortnight kicking off from Monday 25 February until Sunday 10 March, the primary campaign for the UK Fairtrade movement also seeks to highlight challenges experienced by third-world farmers faced with poverty, child labor and deforestation, such as
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Hot on the heels of new plant-food and regenerative organic agriculture labels being launched, another new organic seal will hit the retail market in March 2019, after U.S. organic grower groups and brands Organic Valley and Maple Hill announced they would launch a new Ce
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North American and EU organic groups were asked to provide comments on the new Regenerative Organic Certification, including whether this new certification is complementary to existing organic labels or will create consumer confusion, while we have included an extract fro
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After 81 years of criminalization, US farmers can finally grow industrial hemp without fear of a DEA raid. Last year on December 20th President Donald Trump signed the 2018 US Farm Bill, which for the first time differentiates between hemp and marijuana products and remo
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As BRC Global Standards company, Allergen Control Group (ACG), owners of the Gluten-Free Certification Program (GFCP), have announced on December 13 the formation of two food-industry stakeholder working groups to support the development and launch of the first internatio
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President Donald Trump signed the 2018 Farm Bill on December 20, which includes the legalization of cultivation and sale of industrial hemp, defined as cannabis that contains less than 0.3-percent THC. Hemp will now be removed from the list of Controlled Substances to b
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The organic sector has secured funding for organic agricultural research and education in the 2018 Farm Bill, which will provide $395 million over the next 10 years. USA organic trade group the Organic Trade Association (OTA) applauded the 2018 Farm Bill conference comm
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Canada, the USA and Australia are seeing a major increase in new product launches and acquisitions in hemp food and medical marijuana in 2018, with the market heating up after Canada became the largest country with a legal, recreational marijuana marketplace on October 17
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"Genetic engineering isn’t everyone’s childhood dream. Even I didn’t care for it when I started studying biology at the University of Amsterdam, but my professor explained it was an acquired taste and the best option for a good job. So, I suppressed my d
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Brazilian authorities announced in May this year that five-grain trading houses, including major US agribusiness traders Cargill Inc and Bunge Ltd, and dozens of farmers have been fined a total of 105.7 million reais (US$29 million) for activities connected to illegal def
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New testing conducted by an independent lab found glyphosate, the active ingredient in Monsanto’s Roundup, in common children’s lunch foods and snacks sold in Canada. The testing, commissioned by the Coalition for Action on Toxics, revealed that some products
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Fairtrade International, the most recognized global ethical certification system, is one of the few schemes with the ability to improve sustainable livelihoods for cocoa farmers and workers. Now Fairtrade has introduced Living Income and sustainability strategies to help
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Canadian firm Riverside Natural Foods, producer of organic snack bar brand MadeGood®, was recently awarded Silver under the Total Resource Use and Efficiency (TRUE) certification system. Administered by Green Business Certification, Inc. (GBCI), TRUE helps facilities
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The new EU Organic Regulation on organic production and labeling of organic products has been published in the Official Journal of the European Union, with joint efforts required for implementing and delegated acts in the next two years, IFOAM EU said in June. Among the
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With misleading organic claims and greenwashing a major issue for certified organic products in Australia, leading organic industry group, Australian Organic, welcomed action by the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) to impose penalties of AUD$37,800
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IFOAM – Organics International has announced the appointment of its next executive director, Louise Luttikholt, who will who will take responsibility for the role on 1 July 2018, while IFOAM and groups such as the US OTA, Oregon Tilth, and the Cornucopia Institute h
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Campaigners opposing new plant breeding techniques at protests in Brussels on 17 January called on the European Commission to “prevent GMOs entering the EU market through the back door”, as the debate intensifies over whether genetic engineering techniques sho
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While the US Organic Trade Association (OTA) had good news after the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) awarded the OTA nearly $850,000 for 2018 market promotion, the OTA launched a campaign in December after the USDA announced it would withdraw the Organic Livestock and
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European Consumer Organization, BEUC and member organizations from 11 countries have called on the EU Commission to swiftly publish the nutrient profiles in 2018 which are now nine years late being implemented, following the EU Commission’s long-standing failure to
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In this edition of Organic & Wellness News we look at another third-party global ethical certification system, the Certified B Corporations label, where individual B Corps companies aspire to and meet the highest standards of verified social and environmental performa
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The Cornucopia Institute just released Raising the Bar, Choosing Healthy Snack Bars versus Gimmicky Junk Food a report exposing misleading marketing practices by large food industry firms that market candy-like snack and energy bars as wholesome and nutritious. The repor
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Multinational chocolate companies and traders attended the UN Climate Change Conference (COP23) in November 2017 where the World Cocoa Foundation said top cocoa-producing countries Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana, and leading chocolate and cocoa companies, announced f
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Marco Coppola and Brad Michnik of Saskatchewan Trade & Export Partnership at Biofach 2017, STEP did a trade mission to Mexico in 2017Both the United States and Canada are now working towards organic equivalency with Mexico, with the United States and Mexico forming a
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French president Emmanuel Macron's ambitions to shake up the food sector and ensure producers are price setters rather than price takers, addressing the imbalance of power in the food sector that would return more money to farmers, are at odds with French government plans
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An ambitious program from the Soil Association in the UK to have more organic meals served in public sector kitchens received a boost in October, following calls by the Soil Association Scotland for healthier food to be provided on the menu and as a way of life in schools
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The Canada Organic Trade Association’s (COTA) recent publication, The State of Organics: Federal-Provincial-Territorial Performance Report 2017, provides a comprehensive and interesting read about the current level of development of the organic sector in each provin
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The EU and China have published a list of 200 European and Chinese geographical indications (GIs) in June that are protected on their respective markets, as part of a bilateral deal that should be concluded by December, according to Italia Oggi in late July. The move ca
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New rules governing organic production and labeling in the European Union that are acceptable to and address the concerns of the organic movement were taken off the agenda until October 2017, after the European Parliament and the EU reached a provisional agreement for Eur
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The US Organic Trade Association said in July that it is setting up a Global Organic Supply Chain Integrity Task Force with a mandate to develop a "best practices guide" to use in managing and verifying global organic supply chain integrity to help brands and traders mana
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The UN Conference to Support the Implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development will be convened at United Nations Headquarters in New York from June 5-9 2017, coinciding
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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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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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The fair trade sector in Germany is flourishing: the two big industry associations Forum Fairer Handel and TransFair have both announced double-digit growth for fairly traded and ethically manufactured products in 2015. According to industry association Forum Fairer Hand
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On the opening day of BIOFACH, the world’s leading organic fair on February 11, EU policymakers and organic stakeholders met to discuss the future of the organic regulation at the EU Policy Day organised by IFOAM EU and the fair organizer. Some of the major issues
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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 published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), which concluded that people without diabetes or cardiovascular disease don’t need to worry about where a food falls on the glycaemic index (GI) – even if they’re overweight
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KRAV label on canned tomatoesStockholm’s most noted restaurants of recent years have one concept in common: Scandinavian culinary tradition in an innovative version, carefully selected raw ingredients and a focus on locally produced organic foods. Nordic cuisine is
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On 24 March 2014 the European Commission published its legislative proposal for a new organic regulation complemented by annexes, the impact assessment report and a new European Organic Action Plan. This was the result of a process started in 2012 when the Commission dec
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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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The International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements IFOAM has decided to give its name and corporate logo a refreshing update. In December 2013, we contacted our affiliates to get input on a possible name change for IFOAM. After various brainstorming rounds affi
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A ground-breaking new $4.5 million partnership between the Australian Government and Fairtrade Australia & New Zealand (ANZ), announced in November, was a first for Fairtrade ANZ and will build support for Fairtrade products in Australia. The partnership will also li
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The IFOAM EU Group has continued to stand its ground against proposals from the EU Commission and pushed for new organic regulations that build on existing organic regulations across Europe. EU Agriculture Ministers endorsed a non-binding report summarising the progress
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The Organic Trade Association has applauded the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s announcement in December of a proposed rule to exempt more organic farmers and handlers from paying into conventional commodity check-off programs (or industry and promotional levies),
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The GMO labelling movement in the U.S. has been dealt several blows, one over the failure to count 4,600 voters during the Oregon GMO labelling initiative, while a bill before the U.S. Congress dubbed ‘the Dark Act’ that may pre-empt states from enacting label
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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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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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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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Brazil’s largest certifier of organic products IBD, and the major EU-based International Natural and Organic Cosmetic Association, NATRUE, have signed an agreement of mutual recognition and alignment of their certification standards. Executive director of IBD, Alex
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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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OWN asked industry players about the major accomplishments and obstacles the organic and sustainable sectors have experienced over the past decade. Markus Pandur, of UHTCO Corp EU, highlighted a common concern that needs to be addressed: the cost of regulation, certifica
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For years Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) have been quietly mixed into the US conventional food supply at alarming rates, their existence unknown to most consumers. 2013, however, marked a monumental year when mainstream Americans began to literally wake up and look
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Have you started preparing for 2014 yet? – Countdown to the Food Information for Consumers Regulation (FIC), which modifies existing food labelling provisions in the Union to allow consumers to make informed choices and safe use of food, while at the same time ensur
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From January 2014, Certifying Agencies Organic Products and Phytosanitary Service (SFE), the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, Costa Rica as competent authority said it shall comply with the new import regulations established by the European Union, with the aim of en
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Washington, U.S. the Center for Science in the Public Interest notified Crystal Light’s manufacturer, Kraft Foods, on January 9 that it will be sued if it continues to use the word “natural” in connection with its Natural Lemonade, Natural Pink Lemonade,
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By The Environmental Group The news that General Mills is making its Cheerios breakfast cereal without genetically modified ingredients and will place this information on food labels has not come as a huge shock to Alex Formulism, of U.S. NGO the Environmental Working Gr
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Following two years of intensive thought, discussions, debates, and revisions, IFOAM was pleased to announce in January that the Best Practice Guideline for Agriculture and Value Chains (which can be downloaded at www.ifoam.org), has been approved by unanimous vote of the
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The fight for GM food labeling in the US will continue in 2014, anticipates Organic Monitor with eco-labels gaining more exposure after each battle at the ballot box. Sales of organic certified foods and other eco-labeled products are soaring, as better informed consumers
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The U.S. Organic Consumers Association reports that hundreds of items found on supermarket shelves, such as shampoos, cleaning supplies, cosmetics and food packaging, could get chemical makeovers under new rules being put in force by California from October 1, 2013. Stat
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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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United States & Japan sign organic equivalence deal The first organic equivalence agreement made in Asia by the United States and the first without organic standards exceptions was signed on September 26 between the U.S. and Japan at All Things Organic, Natural Produ
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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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The European stevia industry has hit back in early June following a German court’s temporary ruling that prohibited manufacturers from suggesting that the sweetener is natural on stevia labelling. A German consumer group took the manufacturer of a stevia sweetener p
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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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The seminar ‘Who will stop the equivalence nonsense for organic imports’ presented by Albrecht Benzing of private German organic certification services company CERES at BioFach 2013, was a great contribution to recent debate over issues arising from organic eq
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“Secrecy” and “democracy” are not words that usually belong together—especially when it comes to determining rules that will govern the future of our global food system and set regulations for health and safety. Over the past few years, howe
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Do you think eggs laid by free-range hens on small farms are healthier than those laid by confined birds in giant commercial operations? Well, the FDA (U.S Food and Drug Administration) disagrees. U.S. economic justice for the family-scale farming community advocate The C
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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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France has recently notified the EC of a draft decree that bans BPA used in food contact packaging for children under the age of three, and pregnant and feeding mothers. The rule comes into force on 1 October 2013 until a BPA ban takes effect on 1 January 2015. Packaging
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The 5th European edition of the Sustainable Food Summit offered by Organic Monitor took place 6-7 June at the Mövenpick Hotel in Amsterdam, with nearly 140 attendees: Food industry representatives, agricultural producers, marketing experts, retailers, distributors an
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The RSPO (Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil), an international multi-stakeholder organization and certification scheme for sustainable palm oil, has announced the RSPO Smallholders Support Fund (RSSF) for eligible oil palm growers amongst smallholders around the wor
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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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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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To find what makes the Challapata market in Bolivia famous, one must first pass vendors with massive green bags of dried coca leaf, dozens of varieties of carrots and potatoes, and heaps of used clothing shipped in from the United States. Now just ahead, past market resta
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For months leading up to the 2012 U.S. election, I traveled throughout the state of California in a Volkswagen campervan wrapped in the Proposition 37 “Right to Know” logo, rallying support for mandatory labeling of genetically engineered foods, or genetically
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The Small Producers’ Symbol, SPP, is a hallmark of sustainability representing organized small producers in the Caribbean and in Latin America. Based on the principles and values that originally gave rise to the fair trade movement, it allows consumers to identify h
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Potential labelling requirements for foodstuffs containing Omega-3 fatty acids EPA (eicosa- pentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahxenoicacid) were among 12 new health claims discussed at the EU Commission’s Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health in Brusse
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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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Our food system is dysfunctional, with conventional farming methods unsustainable and nutrient-deficient, according to journalist and food waste expert Jonathan Bloom. As a result, one-third of adults in the U.S. suffer from diabetes and other chronic diseases related to
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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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By Charlotte Vallaeys, Director Farm and Food Policy, The Cornucopia Institute. Text edited to fit space. As Americans become increasingly aware of the story behind conventional foods—the ecologically destructive monoculture fields, the petrochemical fertilizers, t
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GMOs are abuzz. Retail participation in the third annual Non-GMO Month reached an all-time high this October. And even though California’s Prop 37 did not pass the law for GMO labeling, it continues to score headlines. Around 6 million people or 48.5% voted YES, whi
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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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The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced in November that it will introduce additional testing for organic foods aimed at maintaining the integrity of the USDA National Organic Program. Beginning January 1, 2013, organic certifying agents must test samples from at le
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Swiss food giant Nestle supports water sustainability and is a member of the SAI Platform for supply chain sustainability, and GMWatch in the U.S. reports that Nestle’s corporate head of agriculture, Hans Jöhr, is president of SAI Platform. Mr Johr says Nestl&e
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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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At the Sustain show in Sydney July 19-22, leading New Zealand organic certification company BioGro ran a NATRUE natural certification workshop for health and body care products to advise natural brand businesses about the purpose, scope and benefits of certification, what
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Almost five billion euros (€4.9bn, US$6.6bn) were spent on Fairtrade certified products globally last year, according to figures released in July by Fairtrade International as products with the FAIRTRADE mark became available to people in more than 120 countries. Re
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More Americans are questioning the health and environmental effects of genetically engineered or genetically modified (GM) organisms in their food. In California, the ‘Right to Know’ campaign to require that food from GM crops be labeled is headed for a Novemb
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Fairtrade International has announced the appointment of Harriet Lamb as the new chief executive of Fairtrade International, who will take up her new role by 1 October 2012. She brings an unrivalled track record in driving Fairtrade success after more than 10 years as exe
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The Fairtrade disagreement in the United States between Fairtrade Labelling International (FLO) and Fair Trade USA is set to heat up after the International Fairtrade body recently announced that leading global and regional brands will soon launch a large range of product
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The UK’s Soil Association Certification and Australian Certified Organic, Australia’s most recognised organic label, have announced their partnership in organic textiles in July. From July 2012, ACO are the preferred partner to undertake inspections and provid
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The International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) will hold a dynamic Organic Leadership Course in North America in 2013. Participants will gain knowledge, skills and a comprehensive understanding of organic principles and the organic sector in North A
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Mexican agave supplier Best Ground received this year, Fair Trade certification for all products, coming from its partner plant Bioagaves de la Costa, the first certification of this kind ever granted in the sector. The process was possible thanks to the fact that the pro
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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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The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), an international multi stakeholder initiative, has achieved yet another milestone with over six million metric tons of CSPO produced worldwide by RSPO-certified palm oil growers in less than four years since RSPO certificatio
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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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Philip Lymbery, chief executive of the UK’s Compassion in World Farming has taken issue with U.S. organic animal welfare standards and the recent unveiling of the EU-USA organic equivalency agreement. Back from the U.S. in May where he was working with CIWF’s
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The Board of Fairtrade International took a major step on March 16 by approving a strategy to launch operations in the USA market, based on extensive consultation and input from USA stakeholders following the departure of Fair Trade USA (FTUSA) from the global Fairtrade s
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The European Union and the United States announced at the BioFach World Organic Fair in Nuremberg in February that beginning June 1, 2012, organic products certified in Europe or in the United States may be sold as organic in either region. The deal is expected to offer i
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Global sales of organic products continue to defy the economic downturn, growing by 8.8% in 2010 and continued growth in 2011. The only exception is in the UK where, despite areas of strong growth and improvement in the long term trend, overall sales were down by 3.7% in
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The United State’s leading third-party certifier of fairtrade products, Fair Trade USA, announced a redesigned certification label and significant revisions to its Multiple Ingredients Product Policy on January 18. Under the revised ‘Single Products’ Ing
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Global sales of natural and organic beauty products projected to reach USD 9 billion last year and while consumer demand for natural and organic products remains buoyant, new research finds the growth rate is slowing because of the weak economic climate. In its December r
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Last year, Bolivian entrepreneur Teodosio Huayllani Marca embarked in a new venture, Sindan Organic, with the purpose of offering a diversified portfolio of superfoods of the highest quality such as quinoa, amaranth, sesame, cañahua and chia, to please the most dis
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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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Pacari Chocolate, a unique premium “tree-to-bar” line and the first single-origin organic chocolate made entirely in Ecuador, has obtained the prestigious Demeter Biodynamic® Certification, the ultimate recognition of sustainability. Based on the principl
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A new study from the Organic Trade Association (OTA) reveals that 78% of U.S. families say they are choosing organic foods, up from 73% in 2009, while 4 in 10 families indicate they are buying more organic products than they were a year ago. “In a time when the se
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While new research from world governing fair trade organization Fair Trade Labelling International (FLO) shows that recognition of the Fairtrade mark has increased since 2008, planned changes by United States fair trade accreditation body Fair Trade USA to split from the
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An international report on genetically manipulated (GM) foods and crops was launched on World Food Day, October 16. The report was coordinated by Dr Vandana Shiva - international GM-free advocate, scientist and recent Sydney Peace Prize recipient. The synthesis report, &l
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NPA says draft NDI Guidance, Supplements Bill is tough on industry The Natural Products Association has criticized sweeping new draft guidelines for dietary supplements released by the United States Food and Drug Administration as unnecessary and going beyond Congress&rs
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The boom for quinoa continues. Beyond the natural health food stores, the rich golden grain is also finding a prominent presence at conventional supermarkets and trendy restaurants around the globe. Originally a South American staple grown in peasant farmer fields in the
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Following a law suit filed by the Public Patent Foundation (PUBPAT) on March 30 on behalf of 60 family farmers, seed businesses and organic agriculture organizations against the Monsanto company, challenging the chemical giant’s patents on genetically modified seed,
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Leading United States independent distributor of natural, organic and specialty foods, organic produce and personal care items United Natural Foods, Inc. (Unfi) has posted a strong increase in fiscal fourth quarter net sales of 17.2% over the same period in 2010 to $1.16
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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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The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil, the international non-profit sustainable palm oil association, announced in May that RSPO-certified palm oil production facilities produced their five-millionth tonne of certified sustainable palm oil. It also revealed that 9% of th
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Nordic Naturals, industry leader in fish oil supplementation, announced in early February the opening of its new corporate headquarters in Watsonville, California. It is the first LEED Gold green building in Santa Cruz County registered with the U.S. Green Building Counci
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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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Fairtrade products in Canada now have a new name to go with the new worldwide Fairtrade International logo introduced last year. TransFair Canada will be known as Fairtrade Canada. Rob Clarke, executive director of the organization believes the name Fairtrade Canada more
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At the Sustainable Cosmetics Summit held in New York on May 12-14, 2011, leading natural personal care company Aveda shared its experiences in adopting the Cradle-to-Cradle (C2C) design approach, a novel way for companies to integrate sustainability into their business pr
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A coalition of nearly 400 US businesses and organizations called on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in October to require labeling of genetically engineered (GE) foods, which are those that are altered at the molecular level in ways that could not happen natur
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