Food Authentication Techniques and Sustainable Supply Chains

Food authentication techniques are gaining popularity, partly because of growing concerns about fraud involving organic and sustainable foods. Ecovia Intelligence (Organic Monitor) finds this development is encouraging sustainability by providing greater traceability across the supply chain. The market for organic and eco-labelled foods has grown from almost nothing to over USD 60 billion within 20 […]

The Greening of the Cosmetic & Personal Care Industry Gathers Pace

Cosmetic and personal care companies are investing in sustainability as they look to shore up their green credentials. The beauty industry has historically received negative media publicity for unethical business practices, however green appears to have become the new black. A couple of 2012 industry lists show how far beauty companies have come on the […]

New US-EU Trade Arrangement Opens up Global Organic Market

The new equivalency agreement between EU and US organic standards is considered a major milestone for the international organic food industry. The two regions comprise over 90 percent of global sales, however bilateral trade has been hampered by non-recognition of standards. Organic Monitor expects the new trade arrangement to have a significant impact on international trade of organic products. […]

Consumers Getting Smart by Mobile Technology

Advances in mobile technology are increasing the number of consumer products with smart barcodes. Although this development is encouraging more sustainable products, the implications are far reaching that could eventually lead to the demise of some eco-labels. Eco-labels currently play an important role in marking sustainable products. Indeed, green symbols and logos are becoming ubiquitous on foods, cosmetics, […]

De-Commoditisation of Food Ingredients by Sustainable Production

Growing consumer demand for sustainable products is leading many ingredients to become de-commoditised. A growing share of food commodities – such as coffee, tea and bananas – are now marketed as value-added (sustainable) products. Organic Monitor finds the same trend is now occurring for ingredients. Sustainable ingredients are gaining currency as growers look at value-added […]