Non-GMO and Organic Flavors – The New Norm?
Twelve years ago, abelei was approached by a potential customer of significance. They desired Organic Certified, spray dried, powder flavors for their new product, but were having trouble finding a source. At the time, organic produce was becoming easier to find in national supermarkets, but organic and Non-GMO processed foods were not. Therefore abelei and the flavor industry, in general, had little interest in developing Organic or even non-GMO flavors. Though it took some time to get certified and convince a reluctant spray dry co-manufacturer to do the same, abelei did so by Q-1 of 2008 and thereby set itself and the co-manufacturer on a course for significant future business growth.
Today, abelei’s libraries of Non-GMO, Organic Certified and Organic Compliant (AKA “made with organic”) flavors collectively numbers well over 1,000 formulas. Sales of these flavors went from zero in 2007 to 23% of total sales for Non-GMO formulas and 10% for Organic (about a 50% /50% split between certified and compliant) in 2018. Obviously, these relatively new categories are significant, growing, and especially for Non-GMO, becoming the new norm.
Please note that by rule Organic Flavors, whether certified or compliant, must be Non-GMO, Natural, not irradiated and sludge-free. So, all organic flavors are Non-GMO, though all Non-GMO flavors are not necessarily Organic.
Millennial Parents drive sales of Non-GMO and Organic Products
Though Non-GMO and organic products have been available in the U.S. for decades, it was not until about 5 years ago that sales of new products with these criteria began to take-off. The consensus in the food and beverage industry is that the primary cause of this trend has been the rise in influence of the Millennial consumer, especially those with young children. According to a recent Food Business News article, 'millennial households spent nearly 14% more on organic products” in the 52-week period ending November 24, 2018, versus the same period the previous year. The article goes on to state that in the U.S. the “average annual organic eating occasions per capita is highest among children up to 9 years of age.” Millennial moms and dads are making these decisions based on their perceptions that Non-GMO and organic products are cleaner and healthier for their families.
Ingredient Supply Chain Grows to Meet Demand
Twelve years ago one of the major obstacles to creating good, Non-GMO and organic flavors was the quality and scarcity of Non-GMO and organic raw materials. In the past 5 years, and especially the last 3, there has been a significant increase in the variety, quality and quantity of such materials. This increase in availability has led to a change in the rules for what can be used in organic flavors. Whereas a few years ago an organic flavor had to contain a certain percentage of certified organic material (“Compliants” required at least 70%, and “Certifieds” at least 95%), the rules today require that if an ingredient in a flavor formula is commercially available organically, that organic source must be used. This change may seem minor, but it is significant, and underscores the strength of the organic trend.
abelei flavors has thousands of Non-GMO and Organic formulas on file.
In 2018 abelei sold 152 distinctively different Non-GMO flavor formulas, 94 of which were Organic, with about half of those being Certified versus Compliant.
If you would like free samples of any liquid or powder fruit flavor imaginable, any sweet type flavor (vanilla, chocolate, mint, caramel, maple, etc.), bitter blocker, sweetness enhancer, etc., please either call 847-924-5855, email tgooding@abelei.com, or click here to complete and submit a request for samples. Most samples are mailed within 2 business days of your request.