A new certification body for genetically modified organism free (GMO-free) foods has been launched in Australia. GMO-ID Australia, a subsidiary of accreditation body HACCP International Pty Ltd, which has specialised in product certification for the food industry since 1998, will use the ‘Cert ID Non GMO’ (Cert ID) certification system in Australia and the Pacific region. The Cert ID system will offer a range of third party certification schemes aimed at the food industry, including farmers and... ...Read more »

New US research by Euromonitor has found that health and wellness beverages are continuing to increase in popularity, equating to 44 per cent of sales in the non-alcoholic beverage market. The Functionality, Naturalness and Stevia Key to Developing Beverages to Fit Today’s Trends report said that retail value of health positioned drinks reached US $274 billion in 2011, with that figure expected to outperform soft drinks and hot drinks between 2012-2016. While “naturally healthy” beverages made... ...Read more »

Popular food claims such as “natural,” “made with,” and “whole grains” have made the US-based EnviroMedia’s Leanwashing Index’s annual list of food marketing words that mislead consumers. Launched by Enviromedia in 2012, the Leanwashing Index  allows consumers to post and rate the validity of health claims made in advertising, marketing and packaging processed foods on a scale of “authentic” to “bogus.” EnviroMedia launched the Leanwashing Index with input from a panel of... ...Read more »

Consumers perceptions of what is considered healthy eating at restaurants are changing according to a new report by market research firm Technomic. The Healthy Eating Consumer Trend Report by Technomic has found that 50 per cent of US consumers would like restaurants to offer more healthy food, as they would order these options if available. The new report finds that contemporary definitions of health are now strongly associated with ‘local’, ‘natural’, ‘organic’ and ‘sustainable’... ...Read more »

An Australian survey by leading consumer advocacy group CHOICE has found that many food manufacturers are using a “trade mark law loophole” to label food as “healthy,” even if they are high in fat and sugar. CHOICE’S study of 200 products with “healthy” trade-marked brand names found that almost half were high in saturated fat, sugars or sodium. The ability of a food manufacturer to secure a trade mark that includes the words “health” or similar words is limited by the Trade Marks... ...Read more »

On 1 October 2012, the European Commission announced it had approved a list of flavouring substances, meaning that only flavourings permitted by the Commission will be permitted for food in Europe. While the new regulations have a six month transitional period, commencing in April 2013, allowing sufficient time for those in the food industry to adapt – there is a further 18 months to phase out unapproved flavours. Manufacturers will have this further 18 months to phase out flavours not on the... ...Read more »

KR Castlemaine has  launched a campaign for a pre-packaged ham product with the claim to be “natural”, using new technologies to become the “first Australian pre-packaged ham that is artificially preservative-free”. This new range of ham is said to be produced using cutting-edge High Pressure Pasteurisation (HPP) technology. The company claims that it “does not use heat”, thereby preserving texture and nutritional value for the product. HR Castlemaine also says  the new technology ... ...Read more »

A UK-based independent research organisation, has predicted the food and drink trends set to make an impact in 2012. The top 10 food and drink trends identified by Leatherhead Food Research are: Health and wellness  Leatherhead say that health and wellness is a trend which has had an over-arching influence on the developments of the food and beverage industry in recent years and this influence is set to continue into 2012. Key priorities for companies will include the continued efforts to meet guidelines... ...Read more »

International research body, Innova Market Insights, has identified five key trends that it claims will impact the Australian food and beverage market through 2012 and beyond. According to Innova, the top trends for 2012 relate purity, authenticity and sustainability, as consumers continue to look for products with added value, despite the ongoing economic uncertainty. Innova’s top five trends are as follows: ‘Pure’ is the new ‘natural’: Natural products are becoming the rule rather... ...Read more »

US grocery operator Safeway Inc has launched a range of 100% natural foods called Open Nature.The retailer announced on Wednesday (26 January) that the line comprises more than 100 products, launching with a range of with meat products, including fresh beef, pork, chicken, chicken sausages, bacon and beef hot dogs. It plans to extend the portfolio to bread, yoghurt, ice cream, salad dressing and frozen foods. Safeway said the range is made only from ingredients from natural sources and that meat... ...Read more »