The awards are being organised by the Union for Ethical Biotrade (UEBT) and United Business Media, the hosts of the HIE (Health Ingredients Europe) trade show.
This is the first year that the awards are being held, and their launch now is in keeping with greater attention being paid the sustainability of foods. Greater demand for sustainable food products is trickling up the food supply chain, from consumers and retailers, to manufacturers, and the ingredient firms that supply them.
UEBT is an association that promotes ‘sourcing with respect’ for ingredients that come from nature. Its members commit to improving their sourcing practices, so that they promote the conservation of biodiversity, respect traditional knowledge, and ensure benefits are shared equitably along the supply chain.
Founded in 2006, it stems from the need for small and medium enterprises in developing countries to find ways to differentiate biotrade products in the market, and was born out of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Developmnet’s BioTrade Initiative in response to the Convention on Biological Diversity’s recognition that efforts are required to get the private sector on board.
The new awards scheme for ingredients has two categories: Leadership; and Innovation – both of which are open to companies that are involved in biodiversity-related initiatives.
The winners, to be decided by a panel of food industry and biodiversity experts, will be announced at the trade show in November. More information is available at www.ethicalbiotrade.org. The deadline for entries is 1 October.