Stakeholders in the food and agriculture industry have formed a new coalition organization intended to bring together groups that have not traditionally worked together to tackle long-term policy issues.
Demand for organic Fair Trade certified food imports increased significantly in 2010, with especially strong growth for vanilla, coffee, citrus and cocoa, according to Fair Trade USA’s 2010 almanac.
Consumers may consider organic cookies, yogurt and potato chips to be tastier, healthier and lower in calories because they carry an organic label, according to a new study conducted by researchers at Cornell.
An ‘overly restrictive’ policy on the fortification of organic foods with non-organic functional ingredients such as omega-3s could stifle innovation in the organic sector and damage consumers, the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) has warned.
The Public Patent Foundation (PUBPAT) has filed a lawsuit against Monsanto aiming to prohibit the biotech seed giant from suing farmers if their non-GM crops should become contaminated with patented seed.
Participants at the North American Sustainable Foods Summit in San Francisco called for greater transparency and accountability in food companies’ sustainability efforts, event organizer Organic Monitor said.
The US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is seeking comments on draft guidance for the labeling of products that contain at least 70 percent organic ingredients.
The percentage of US consumers buying organic products has remained steady at 38-39 percent for three years running, according to research from TABS Group.
Americans were less likely to engage in environmentally friendly behaviors in 2010 than they were in 2009, despite being more likely to identify with eco-friendly terms, according to a new survey from Harris Interactive.
The North American organic food and beverage market has overtaken Europe to become the biggest organic market in the world, according to a new report from Organic Monitor.
The National List of permitted non-organic ingredients in organic foods is not encouraging innovation in organic supply, claims a new paper published in Food Technology.
Private label stevia supplier Pyure Brands has introduced a line of organic stevia extracts with Food and Drug Administration (FDA) generally recognized as safe (GRAS) status, the company has said.
DD Williamson has introduced a USDA-certified organic version of its class one acid-stable dark caramel color for use in beverages with pH below 2.5, the company has said.
Californian organic strawberries could be more nutritious than conventional strawberries, according to a new study published in the online journal PLoS One.
Over 40 US and Canadian organizations have said that a Canadian General Standards Board (CGSB) proposal to label farmed salmon as organic does not adhere to the principles of organic food.
A new study has suggested that a cross-linked a pectin coat could improve the stability of natural oil bodies, making their potential for industrial use more viable.
A federal appeals court has ruled that organic almond growers can challenge a law requiring mandatory pasteurization of almonds intended to reduce risk of salmonella contamination, overturning a previous decision.
Organic claims on food packaging could lead consumers to overeat or even exercise less, according to a new study published in the journal Judgment and Decision Making.
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has blocked a Chinese branch of a US organic certifier from certifying Chinese organics, the New York Times reports.
Are organic foods healthier? The sad truth is that nearly 100,000 studies later, we just don't know. Meanwhile, this lack of certainty presents major business opportunities for the organic food industry.
A new review of the existing research on the health effects of consuming organic foods found no evidence of health benefits – but again highlighted the need for more research.
CP Kelco has developed a new pectin ingredient to stabilize sauces and dressings and that can support a natural or organic label claim, the company has said.
Synergy Flavors’ Chicago facility has received organic certification, which will allow it to increase provision of organic flavors, and respond to sustained demand for ‘clean label’ products, the company has said.
A new report from the President’s Cancer Panel has raised concerns about the levels of potential environmental carcinogens, including pesticide residues on conventionally grown food.
Monsanto has asked the US Supreme Court to end a ban on planting of genetically modified (GM) alfalfa that was instigated due to environmental impact concerns back in 2007.
Organic food and beverage sales continued to outpace overall food sales during 2009, although at a slower rate than in previous years, according to a market report from the Organic Trade Association (OTA).
More than 80 food processing, farming and consumer organizations have called on officials to revise the US position on draft Codex food labeling guidance, saying it could cause problems for labeling food as GM-free.
Consumers are moving beyond the terms ‘organic’ and ‘natural’ toward broader expectations of minimal processing and general healthfulness, according to a new report from The Hartman Group.
Organic production has risen dramatically over the past decade but only a tiny percentage of soybean, corn and wheat crops are certified organic, according to a new report from the USDA.
Enforcement and compliance problems continue to plague the National Organic Program (NOP) according to an audit report from the Office of Inspector General at the USDA.
A judge has denied an immediate ban on the planting of Monsanto’s genetically modified (GM) sugar beets as it “would have a large detrimental effect on the United States’ domestic sugar supply and price.”
Shoppers are buying more meat overall but spending less, with 40 percent saying they have changed their habits due to recession, according to a joint industry study.
Sara Lee has issued a clarification statement regarding its EarthGrain-brand bread after organic farming campaigners at Cornucopia accused it of “misleading and unethical” claims.
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has unveiled new rules for organic livestock production, with the aim of setting consistent standards for pasture use across the dairy industry.
Organic food may not be as susceptible to E. coli as previously thought, according to researchers from the University of Florida and the Universities of Wageningen and Groningen in the Netherlands.
A 22,000-head beef and dairy cattle farming operation based in Nebraska and Missouri, Promiseland Livestock, will lose its organic certification for four years, a Washington, DC judge has ruled.
An alliance of farming, health and environmental groups has protested against the government’s choice of a pesticide industry executive to represent US interests in agricultural trade talks.
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced $19m in funding for organic agricultural research across the country as part of a drive toward a more sustainable supply of organic ingredients.
Tighter purses are not turning consumers away from ethical shopping with interest in all things sustainable or humane thriving despite the recession, according to market researcher, Packaged Facts.
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has compiled a report on the marketing of organic food, which it says aims to respond to a dearth of information on the fast-changing sector.
The food industry can clean up its image, benefit the environment, and become more profitable while doing so, says the founder of a new trade association, the Ecological Food Manufacturers Association (EFMA).
Organic ingredients supplier Global Organics has introduced ‘EcoSocial’ certified organic cane sugar to North America – a certification that aims to incorporate environmental, social and economic criteria.
Negative consumer attitudes towards biotechnology (GMOs) and irradiation could be improved through communication and education, a new report has concluded.
Organic food has entered the mainstream with strong growth in all sectors over the past decade, including packaged and prepared foods and beverages, according to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).
US shoppers are staying loyal to organic food even though the majority admit to having changed their cooking and eating habits because of the state of the economy.
Aurora Organic Dairy has denied accusations by small-scale farm campaigning organization the Cornucopia Institute accusing it of selling milk that does not adhere to organic standards.
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has ordered an independent audit of its National Organic Program (NOP) to boost transparency and integrity, and bring it in line with international standards.
