Session F1: Room 292 | ||
Sunday AMFORUM: Organic food processing--Everything you have always wanted to know (and more) about this rapidly growing food segment | ||
| Moderator(s): | M. C. Mulry, FoodWise, Inc. A. F. Barr, Marr Barr Communications | |
| Panelist(s): | K. DiMatteo, Organic Trade Association J. R. Hall, California Natural Products J. Smillie, Quality Assurance International S. J. Harper, Small Planet Foods B. Baker, Organic Materials Review Institute J. Montecalvo, California Polytechnic Univ. | |
| Time: | 9:00 AM | |
| The Organic Foods Production Act (OFPA) was passed in 1990 and since then, the organic foods industry has been growing at double digit rates. Many large food companies have recently invested in or purchased companies who primarily sell organic products. At the end of 2000, the USDA published the final organic regulations and companies will have 18 months to comply with these final regulations. Passage of these regulations are expected to spur new growth and investment and many new products in this industry. In this special forum, consumer trends driving the growth of this industry will be discussed. A history of the global organic food processing industry will be detailed and perspectives from an organic certifier, an organic ingredients supplier and an organic food product developer will be presented. Reciprocity and acceditation among organic certifiers, including international certifiers will be discussed. Discussion of technical issues, such as the National List and the process of approval of synthetic materials used in organic production will be covered as well. This is an opportunity to bring questions and concerns about organic foods to this distinguished panel of presenters. | ||