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100% Natural? Maybe. Who knows?

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NaturalIt may well be past time for ingredient declaration standards to be agreed-upon between manufacturers and consumers before the food industry becomes mired in lawsuits and wasted developments. For all of the push towards health and wellness trends—which consumers have now been demanding of the market for at least a decade—it does astound that the FDA has only this year asked for public comment on what the word “Natural” means on food labeling. In May of this year, the FDA opened the topic up for public comment and as of August 2016, more than 5,000 comments have been filed in response. Now, recall again how long consumers had to wait for the Nutrition Labeling changes to be implemented into the marketplace? If the designation of what constitutes “Natural” on our food labeling takes nearly as much time, it is fair to assume that resource spend within industry by those protecting themselves from lawsuit will dwarf the spend associated with Nutrition Label changes.

This much is certain: the domestic food industry’s largest manufacturers are being monitored more closely than ever in 2016. What is not certain is when R&D departments and manufacturers can feel 100% confident that what they are printing on their labels won’t end up landing them in court.

LINKS:

FDA.gov
“‘Natural’ on Food Labeling”

Consumerist.com
“Lawsuits Claim ‘100% Natural’ Label On Nature Valley Granola Bars is Deceptive”

USA’s largest supermarket chain embraces Natural

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In 2012, domestic sales of natural foods and drinks had increased 138% in only four years time. The recent report coming out of the IDDBA with regard to Kroger would certainly suggest that these trends continue to grow and thrive. Generation Y has been recently described as the most savvy, brand-sensitive consumer group in history, so there is no reason to think that these numbers will abate.

SIS is perfectly positioned to react to your customers’ evolving needs. As a functional ingredient supplier specializing in custom formulation, SIS stands ready to react to the most recent marketing research in the snack food category and is poised to accommodate all new projects. We continue to work with our customers to ensure that while we accommodate and adapt snack foods into healthier options, the expectations of great taste and a satisfying eating experience continue to be met.

Kroger President and CEO Rodney McMullen told analysts that natural and organic foods are the fastest growing department on a percentage basis, and sometimes dollar basis, at the nation’s largest supermarket chain.

Margins are not significantly higher in natural and organic foods than conventional grocery or private label, but it’s where the shopper is headed, noted McMullen. “Our existing customers continue to buy more and more organic and natural foods, plus the younger generation buys a higher share in those categories. So we see a huge opportunity.”

Source: January 2014 PLMA e-scanner

Our Company

In January, 2011, Keith Stewart Fruit Products, Inc. becomes Stewart Ingredient Systems, Inc. S.I.S. will remain committed to the standards of rapid development services, lean manufacturing and relationship business which allowed us to survive and thrive through the decades. The next generation is hungry to expand on our traditions and leverage them into greater innovation and aggressive growth. We deeply appreciate all of those customers and suppliers who have helped us build for this day and look forward to nurturing existing relationships while looking forward to new opportunities, earning the same loyalty and sense of partnership.