The Organic Trade Association offers a three-part Export Readiness Training, to begin November 2, 2023. Attendees will assess their capacity for exporting, identify key foreign markets, and learn practical fundamentals to export products with confidence.
Please register by Wednesday, October 25, 2023. Registration for this training is $350. Scholarships are available.
The Canada Organic Trade Association will host its annual Organic Summit November 20, 2023 with speakers from around the world, an annual update from the Canada Organic Regime, workshops and break out groups, focused around the theme of Greenovation for the Next Generation. Buy tickets by November 10. Remote participation is an option.
Canada Organic Trade Association will present a webinar with the latest statistics about the Canadian organic sector on October 20, 2023 from 2-3. The session is free to COTA members and $100 plus tax for others.
Changes to sodium content limits and recommended energy and nutrient intakes are in place. The Philippines Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is using new recommended energy and nutrient intakes as prescribed in the 2015 Philippine Dietary Reference Intakes as the reference standard in nutrition labelling of processed food products, planning food fortification program, nutrition advocacy, and formulating laws, among others.
Sustainable procurement and organic targets for the European Union were among the highlights from the 2023 European Organic Congress hosted byIFOAM Organics Europe.
In an effort to build trust with consumers amid concerns about adulterated organic products in the market, India’s Food Safety and Standards Authority (FSSAI) has directed all state-authorized laboratories to put infrastructure in place for testing organic products. The government of India intends to promote organic products domestically and to boost exports, and wants reliable testing to assure the authenticity of organic products.
Food and beverage companies interested in Asian markets need to understand how to navigate consumers’ increasing interest in health and affordability. The majority of consumers in Asia (62%) trust the health claims made on products, as governments are standardizing “Healthier Choices” symbols and initiatives. Meanwhile, 70% say they are actively trying to save money on food and beverage purchases.
As of December 2023, the Glastir Organic support program for organic farms will close. Organic farms will then have to apply to the Sustainable Farming Support Scheme. A new program is in the works, but details will not be available until the end of the year. Opposed to the move, the Soil Association reports that the changes will remove £3.1 million of support dedicated to organic farms. Within the United Kingdom, Wales has the highest proportion of land area certified as organic.
Since July 31, 2023 all beverages intended for retail sale—including imports—with more than 1.15% alcohol by volume must include a specific pregnancy warning label. Food Standards Australia New Zealand posted guidelines to assist with compliance.