Specialty Food Magazine is the leading publication for retailers, manufacturers and foodservice professionals in the specialty food trade. It provides news, trends and business-building insights that help readers keep their businesses competitive.
Issue link: https://specialtyfoodmagazine.epubxp.com/i/102355
ter of a particular product, which includes the production method or traditional composition. ec.europa.eu/agriculture/quality also forms partnerships with retailers to promote FA products in the marketplace. foodalliance.org FAIR TRADE CERTIFIED R FREE RANGE P Guarantees that farmers receive a fair price for such crops as coffee, tea, cacao, fruit, sugar, rice and spices. It also means the farms offer safe working conditions, use ecologically sustainable methods and have access to community development projects. Fair Trade is certified in the U.S. through Fair Trade USA (formerly TransFair USA), an independent third-party certifier, which reported that sales of Fair Trade Certified products grew an astounding 75 percent in 2011. fairtradeusa.org Suggests animals (usually poultry and the eggs that they produce) were raised in the open air or were free to roam. It does not necessarily mean that the products are cruelty- or antibiotic-free or that the animals spent a significant amount of time outdoors. (The USDA considers 5 minutes of outdoor time each day to be sufficient.) The claim is regulated only on poultry products not on eggs or other meat. Similar label claims include "Free Roaming" or "Free Running." FARM RAISED P GLUTEN-FREE R Refers to fish that were nurtured on a farm, or net pen in the ocean, rather than caught in their natural habitat. Farmed fish is believed to be a way to address the growing problem of overfishing. Environmental Defense, a national advocacy organization, is not a certifying agency but helps companies establish standards programs. Products sporting this seal have met stringent standards to ensure gluten-free safety and are certified to contain less than 10 parts per million of gluten. This new certification program is available from organic certifier Quality Assurance International and the healthcare nonprofit National Foundation for Celiac Awareness. Unlike unsubstantiated gluten-free claims on the market, this certification is science-based and triple-verified through inspections and product testing. The stringent certification relies on annual inspection, ingredient verification, random product testing and unannounced audits. celiaccentral.org/gluten-free-certification FOOD ALLIANCE CERTIFIED R The seal of Food Alliance, an almost 20-year-old nonprofit organization that operates a comprehensive third-party certification program in North America for sustainably produced food, distinguishes foods produced by farmers, ranchers and food processors that use environmentally and socially responsible practices. Farms and ranches must meet standards for providing safe and fair working conditions; ensuring healthy and humane care for livestock; avoiding hormones and non-therapeutic antibiotics; not genetically modifying crops or livestock; reducing pesticide use and toxicity; conserving soil and water resources; and protecting wildlife habitat. The certification applies to beef, lamb, pork, poultry, dairy, fruit, processed foods, nuts and vegetables, legumes and grains. Food Alliance GRASS FED P Indicates animals have been fed grasses from birth to slaughter. Antibiotics may have been given to treat disease, but not to promote growth or prevent disease. Their feed did not include grain, animal byproducts or synthetic hormones. The animals must also have continuous access to pasture during the growing season, with no confinement. Also called "pastured" or "pasture-raised," the grass-fed claim is reliable only if the product has a USDA Process Verified shield; otherwise, the verification is only voluntary. GREEN-E R Use of the logo on company marketing materials shows the company purchases renewable energy and offsets. When the label appears directly on a food product, it guarantees the above and that the product was manufactured using 100 percent clean energy. Green-e, administered by the nonprofit Center for Resource Solutions, is the nation's leading certification program for renewable energy and carbon offsets, ensuring that the clean energy households and organizations use to reduce their environmental footprint meets the highest quality standards and is "as advertised." green-e.org HALAL R Denotes that the food conforms to Muslim dietary laws. A halal certification is provided by a certified third-party agency such as The Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America, one of the largest halal agencies in the U.S., whose logo is the Crescent M. Another organization is the Muslim Consumer Group, whose symbol is a triangle with the words "Muslim Consumer Group" and an "H" in the middle. Halal certification involves the inspection of food preparation practices, processing facilities and food ingredients to ensure that halal standards were met. ifanca.org; muslimconsumergroup.com HEART HEALTHY R American Heart Association's seal of approval means that the JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013 83