Symrise commits to organic food and fragrance control
The supplier said that it was looking where possible to extend and update its ingredient portfolio to organic materials particularly in key areas such as vanilla, citrus and vegetable products for flavor and nutrition products.
In trying to meet these ambitions, the group said it had already obtained organic certification for its vanilla extracts and similar accreditation from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s National Organic Program (NOP) for fragrance ingredients as well.
Food differences
In working to obtain certification for both nutrition and fragrance products, the company said that for extracts like vanilla, it had to meet different standards depending the ingredient’s final use.
A spokesperson for the company told FoodNavigator-USA.com that just because an ingredient had obtained organic standards for use in fragrances or personal care, they were not automatically the same when used for nutrition purposes.
Symrise says that it already has obtained certification for its vanilla extracts, with its organic nutrition arm operating from a single plant in Germany designed to produce flavors and compounds for non-alcoholic beverages.
Organic slowdown
The group’s strategies for the segment come despite a reported slowing down of interest in foods sold as being more environmentally friendly such as organic goods, according to research group Mintel.
In a consumer survey, the analyst said that the number of consumers who habitually buy green products – including organic food – remains unchanged on last year at 36 percent from just 12 percent in 2007.
Senior research analyst at Mintel Marcia Mogelonsky said: “People’s priorities have changed because of economic hardship. A substantial number of shoppers are now struggling just to provide the basics for their families, so green living is no longer top of mind for many Americans.”
Despite envisaging static sales in green products this year, Mintel said that it still foresees the overall category to grow by 19 percent to 2013. Organic food, which Mintel calls the most mature part of the green sector, is set to experience “slowing but steady growth” during that time, according to the market research organization.
