A repurposed food certification seal is being developed.
DENVER With the Upcycled Food Association (UFA) working to produce a certification seal for products and ingredients to carry, the market for upcycled food and beverages is receiving more attention. To develop the criteria, the group has gathered a committee of specialists in the fields of sustainability, agriculture, food systems, nutrition, food procurement, and retail.
“It is crucial to have a seal that recognises the diversion of food waste in order to encourage manufacturers to consider innovative methods for sourcing ingredients,” stated Jackie Bowen, the executive director of the Clean Label Project and committee co-chair. “It’s also a win for customers who want to help the environment and these initiatives.”
In May, the UFA published its definition of upcycled food and stated that the next phase in providing more clarity to the market would be to create certification requirements.
Ben Grey, the committee co-chair and chief operating officer of the UFA, stated, “We see this certification first and foremost as a way to inform consumers regarding the benefits of upcycled food; an innovative food category that emphasises using everything that is put into growing food to actually feed people.”
It is anticipated that the committee will finish its work in time for goods to be marketed in the first half of 2021 with the certification seal.
“Businesses can more easily mobilise action with the upcycled food certification.”
Maddison Gurrola, a food technologist with Mattson, Foster City, California, a consultant focusing on innovation and new product development, noted that the company’s efforts support its sustainable development goals while educating consumers and cultivating a fresh perspective on our food system.
Based on market research conducted by Future Market Insights, the upcycled food sector is expected to develop at a compound annual growth rate of 5% and be valued at over $46 billion by 2020. The UFA estimates that there are over 400 upcycled goods available in the US marketplace.