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Proliferation of Food Eco-Labels to Continue
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The number of eco-labels in the food industry is expected to
continue to proliferate in 2013. Over 200 seals and logos represent
some ecological, ethical, ingredient or sustainability attributes in
the global food industry. Organic Monitor finds the mushrooming
number of eco-labels could have adverse
implications.
The majority of eco-labels in the food industry are for organic
products, made according to the most sustainable form of
agriculture. Organic products comprise the bulk of the estimated US
$75 billion eco-labeled food and drink market. Most sales are from
Europe and North America which have legally protected organic logos.
However, many new organic labels are being introduced in Asia, Latin
America and other regions. |
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The lack of
harmonization between these standards is leading to multiple
certifications and an exponential rise in organic eco-labels. Over 84
countries have introduced national standards for organic products, with
most having separate organic logos.
The global fair trade movement – once united by Fairtrade International
(FLO) – is also fragmenting. The departure of Fair Trade USA from the
umbrella organization and growing number of new fair trade schemes are
increasing the number of fair trade logos and symbols. Although the Fair
Trade mark of FLO is the most evident, it is no longer the single
identification label for certified fair trade products.
Rainforest Alliance and UTZ Certified have well-established eco-labels
for agricultural commodities, such as coffee, tea and cocoa. However,
new schemes are gaining popularity for such commodities; they include
Bird Friendly Coffee and Starbuck’s Coffee and Farmer Equity (CAFE)
practices. Eco-labels are also becoming visible in
other product
categories; examples are Marine Stewardship Council for sustainable seafood
and Certified Humane for meat products.
Concerns about genetically engineered foods have made the Non-GMO
Project Verified seal the fastest growing eco-label in the US food
industry. As will be shown at the Sustainable Foods Summit, certified
product sales reached US $2.4 billion in 2011. The voluntary labeling
scheme is predicted to gain in popularity whilst the pro-labeling
movement continues to fight for mandatory labeling of genetically
engineered foods.
Resource eco-labels are also making headway in the food industry. Many
carbon-labeling schemes have been introduced, whilst companies like the
Raisio Group are experimenting with water footprint labels. Major
challenges for such eco-labels are standardization of methodologies and
consumer communications.
Growing consumer awareness of food production methods and sustainability
issues has been responsible for the rise of eco-labels in the food
industry. With the number and types of eco-labels proliferating, there
is a concern that food producers could be discouraged to adopt
eco-labels because of the growing disparity between standards and
multiple certification costs. A larger concern is the effect on
consumers: how can consumers distinguish between the growing number of
logos and seals of organic / fair trade products, as well as
differentiate them between other eco-labels? With most eco-labels
representing some ethical or sustainability attributes, a wider question
is whether a new umbrella eco-label will eventually emerge
and integrate existing ones.
Sustainable Foods Summit
Organic Monitor presented its latest findings on the global
market for eco-labeled food & drink at the North
American edition of the Sustainable Foods
Summit (San Francisco, 22-23 January 2013).
Leading organizations involved in eco-labeling and organic certification
participated at the
summit; they included Ecocert, FLO, Fair
Trade USA, Rainforest Alliance, NSF International, Control Union, Oregon
Tilth, Demeter USA, Certified Humane, Bird Friendly Coffee, Food
Alliance, Carbon Free, Non-GMO Project Verified, etc.
The summit regularly gives an update on eco-labels in
the food industry. The next edition takes place in Amsterdam on 6-7th
June 2013. More information is
available from the
website
Posted: January 8th 2013
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