Frutarom flavours certified organic
certification for the second year running from Quality Assurance
International (QAI) in the US.
"This certification verifies that Frutarom is in full compliance with the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 and 7 CFR Part 205," said William Graham, vice president of Frutarom's US flavour division.
"This type of compliance is required before any product can be labelled organic in the United States.
"It means that we provide authentic, and approved organic products, but, more importantly, that a third party has sanctioned our success in this goal, which is also mandated by law."
Graham believes that the certification shows Frutaroms commitment to high standards but it also underlines the growing importance the company places on the organic sector.
Indeed Bill Ludlum, president of Frutarom USA, recognises that the organic flavours market is growing at unprecedented rates. "The verification is a major step in our efforts in this segment in the future," he said.
The organic food market has been expanding rapidly, and now includes manufactured foods such as snacks and ready-to-eat meals. Last year, dressings and snacks represented nearly 20 per cent of organic new product launches, according to Mintel's Global New Products Database (GNPD).
The European organic food market was worth 20.7 billion in 2004, and has been growing by 26 per cent since 2001.
Food manufacturers looking for low-cost ways to expand their current product range and to develop products that are distinctive have increasingly been tapping into this demand and using organic flavours is one avenue that can taken.
Frutarom operates through two divisions - the flavours division, which develops, produces and markets flavours and food systems, and the fine ingredients division, which develops, produces, markets and sells natural flavour extracts, natural functional food ingredients, natural and speciality oils.
Since 1989, QAI has been providing organic certification service to the domestic and international food trade. It offers organic certification under the National Organic Program for producers, processors, private labellers, distributors and retailers.
