Most Americans believe that organic is healthier for people and the planet than conventional, but they also lack a fundamental understanding of the standard and as such give more weight to single-issue label claims when deciding what to purchase – underscoring...
Organic products have become much more accessible and popular, with consumers of all ages spending more on organic items compared to previous years (+9.5% in annual household spend on organic products in 2018 compared to 2017*).
The number of consumers seeking out and purchasing organic foods or products with clean labels continues to rise, with the products seen as healthier, more nutritious and more environmentally friendly, says a new report.
“Deeply disappointed” by the US Department of Agriculture’s recent decision to eliminate the new organic standard on animal welfare, stakeholders are taking their case to the mainstream public in an effort to pressure the agency to change its position....
Against the vast majority of stakeholders’ wishes, the US Department of Agriculture once again is delaying the widely supported Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices because the department believes the final rule oversteps Congress’ mandate ‘for the...
New research published by the Organic Trade Association connecting parenting to increased organic purchases suggests sales of organic could see a significant boost in the coming years as more millennials, many of whom already favor organic, have children.
New Frontier Foods has spent four years building a presence in the rapidly-growing seaweed snacks market with its Ocean’s Halo brand, but reckons its latest innovation – organic seaweed-based broths (now rolling out nationwide at Walmart, Safeway/Albertsons,...
Rising sales and household penetration of organic is a double-edged sword for the industry in the US as more Americans have started looking for lower prices, bulk packaging and easier access through direct to consumer channels, according to purchasing...
With another infusion of investor funds, Country Archer Jerky Co. is set to make the leap from the natural channel where it is thriving into the conventional and convenience channels, which the CEO says are wide-open for better-for-you snacks such as...
As the nascent drinkable soup category starts to take shape, newcomer ZÜPA NOMA is looking to carve out its own niche with refreshed packaging that will help its bottles pop on store shelves and better showcase on-trend call-outs such as organic and Whole30...
Hydroponic and aquaponic farms can keep their organic status – at least for now – following the National Organic Standards Board’s decision April 21 to defer a vote on whether the systems are eligible for USDA certification.
Despite organic’s strong appeal with double-digit year-over-year growth since the early 1990s, and the promise of a significant premium price over that of its conventional counterparts, many American farmers are hesitant to jump on board – creating a...
Advocates for and against allowing organic products to continue using the non-organic thickener carrageenan argued their cases in front of the National Organic Standards Board Wednesday ahead of the advisory committee’s vote on the issue Thursday.
Mere weeks before the National Organic Standards Board is expected to vote on a recommendation to allow hydroponically grown food to qualify as organic, the Cornucopia Institute filed a formal legal complaint with USDA outlining why they should not be...
Tofu is gaining acceptance as a center-of-the-plate protein beyond vegetarians and vegans thanks in part to the growing focus on plant-based diets as well as new packaging and product innovations that make it easier to prepare.
As US consumers embrace a healthier lifestyle focused on prevention rather than treatment, they increasingly are turning to the natural and organic channel for products that are clean, natural and have added health benefits.
Sales of organic food continues to rise at a breakneck pace compared to the overall market, thanks in part to more Millennials regularly stocking their shopping carts with it, according to new survey data from the Organic Trade Association.
Sheila G’s retains its “edge on brownies” and its competition with the launch of an organic Brownie Brittle line that launched this year despite initial formulation challenges and tighter product margins, according to the company’s founder and CEO Sheila...
US sales of organic food and drink surged 10.6% to $39.8bn in 2015, significantly ahead of the 3% growth in the overall food market, with some segments up more than 30% year-on-year, according to the Organic Trade Association (OTA).
Organic infant formula products from high-profile brands Earth’s Best (Hain Celestial) and The Honest Co contain a “spectacular array” of ingredients that are prohibited under the Organic Food Production Act, according to lawsuits filed by The Organic...
A proposed regulation that would strengthen and clarify organic animal welfare standards would align consumers’ expectations with production practices and improve their confidence in the organic seal, according to USDA.
New data from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) reveals a 12% increase in US certified organic operations between 2014 and 2015, while the total retail market for organic products is now valued at more than $39bn in the US and $75bn+ worldwide.
Fruit chip maker Bare Snacks is overhauling its packaging to create an iconic brand block on store shelves that will better standout from the competition and communicate to consumers its core values of “simplicity, transparency and nothing bad for you,”...
The co-founder and CEO of Green Chef infuses his passion for transparency into every aspect of the fresh meal kit delivery company, and in doing creates new marketing opportunities for its suppliers and helps them increase consumer awareness of their...
The Organic Trade Association in 2016 will push forward several initiatives to help industry “turn the corner” on the supply shortages currently holding it back from meeting surging demand for organic products, the group’s CEO Laura Batcha says.
Privately-held Nature's Path Foods has expanded its organic breakfast and snack food empire with the acquisition of the Country Choice Organic brand from Grain Millers subsidiary New Century Holdings.
If Justin’s made consumers think differently about nut butter with its novel flavor combos and single-serve sachets, YumButter is on a mission to disrupt the category all over again with its YumButter GO pouches, promising an even more convenient way...
Choice in the modern food system is something of a two edged sword. More options are available now than ever, but this abundance can also create more stress for consumers or manufacturers seeking a particular type of product. A new data service called...
The face of the organic shopper is changing slowly to reflect more accurately the American population thanks in part to increased distribution, according to a new study by the Organic Trade Association.
Demand for organic in the U.S. is soaring with more than 80% of families buying some organic products, pushing sales up to an expected $40 billion last year, according to the Organic Trade Association.
The latest in a series of class action lawsuits filed over the use of synthetic leavening agent sodium acid pyrophosphate (SAPP) in foods marketed as ‘all-natural’ has been given the green light by a federal judge.
As more consumers avoid genetically modified organisms, manufacturers that fail to label whether their products contain GMOs are at an increased risk of losing consumer trust and relevance, according to The Hartman Group.
New consumers continue to enter the organic category for the first time, but the health halo cast by the US Department of Agriculture’s certification is dimming as it becomes more mainstream and as shoppers’ interpretation of the standard evolves.
Leavening agent sodium acid pyrophosphate (SAPP) doesn’t belong in products making ‘all-natural’ claims, even if they are USDA certified organic, the FDA has told a Massachusetts-based baker.
Desires to align product portfolios with messages of corporate social responsibility are driving some of the M&A activity regarding organic and natural companies, says Euromonitor International.
General Mills has defended the future of Annie’s natural and organic snacks under its ownership, but two experts say the company will have to work hard to beat the critics.
The Organic Trade Association says that third-party certification under the USDA National Organic Program is sufficient for non-GMO label claims, calling organic production is the optimal solution to US agriculture, according to a statement from its board...
84% of US consumers buy organic food sometimes, and 45% of them buy it at least once a month, according to a new national survey of 1,016 adults. However, there is a disparity between what they think the organic seal means and what they think it should...
In 2012, Late July’s revenues were a modest $18.6m. In 2014, founder and CEO Nicole Dawes says the brand is "currently at a $60M run rate", primarily due to explosive growth in sales of organic snack chips. Not bad going considering she’s vying...
An organic equivalence agreement signed yesterday between the US and Japan will reopen the Japanese market to US organic producers and could provide more—and possibly cheaper—food for US consumers.
Best Organics, a Boulder, CO-based company that offers organic food gift baskets, is the latest to take the plunge into B Corporation status. It solidified the company’s outward profile, but also brought some surprises through introspection.
Concern for the environment may be increasing among Americans, but suspicion of corporate ‘greenwashing’ may be slowing their willingness to pay extra for ‘green’ products, including organic, suggests a new survey of 2,276 adults.
Natural Food Certifiers (NFC) is offering an alternative to the non-GMO Project verified seal with the launch of a new product verification program called GMO Guard.
If passed into law, California’s Prop 37 would not guarantee that unlabeled foods were free from GMOs, just that genetically modified organisms were not intentionally included – a provision designed to be ‘business friendly’, according to the organization...
Natural retailers have seen double-digit sales growth in every four-week period during 2012 as consumers continue to demand natural and organic foods, according to specialist market research organization SPINS.
The Organic Trade Association (OTA) has welcomed the introduction of legislation that would tighten controls on organic certification, saying that it would protect the integrity of the USDA’s National Organic Program seal.
Star-K Kosher Certification has begun providing triple inspections to certify plants and products as non-GMO, organic and kosher, which it says can save companies time and money on individually conducted inspections.
