Ingredients
Most Innovative New Organic Ingredients of 2009
By Kat Schuett

Although many equate the term “organic” with going “back to the basics,” the fact is that organic processing, like nature itself, is continually evolving—looking for ways to improve. This evolution in organic consumer goods is being driven by innovators who are working continuously to bring a wider range of organic-certified ingredients to the market. These new products are showcased in the Innovations section of Organic Processing Magazine—and at the end of each year, we take a look back and compile a list of the most notable new ingredients.

Besides offering better flavor, shelf-life and creative options, these ingredients have allowed processors to create more authentic organic products. These innovative ingredients are highlighted below.

Submit Your Innovative Ingredients! Organic Processing Magazine features new innovative products for processors in every issue. If you have a new ingredient, please email a 95-word write-up, along with a high-resolution photo to kat@organicprocessing.com.

Fair Trade/EcoSocial Ingredients
Organic consumers make purchases based
not only on their values regarding healthy
lifestyles, but also on their values concerning
the environment and social responsibility. Be-
cause of this, several organic ingredient sup-
pliers have taken the extra step to certify key
ingredients to standards that ensure they are
meeting additional social and environmental
criteria. One of
these suppliers is
Ciranda, who this
past summer was
the first to launch
EcoSocial-certified
Palmfruit shorten-
ing. EcoSocial is a
“three-in-one” eco-
nomic, social and
environmental cer-
tification, which re-
quires organic
certification as well
as participation in

EcoSocial ingredients are not only organic but also meet additional social and environmental standards.

additional community and environmental betterment programs.

Global Organics has also recently launched an EcoSocial organic sugar from Brazil. Already used by major brands like Organic Valley and Crofter’s, this EcoSocial sugar is part of the Green Cane Project. This effort has created an alternative farming method that has brought back over 500 forms of life to the soil and surroundings of the farms, and, through an innovative harvesting system, has eliminated carbon emissions associated with traditional cane harvesting, which requires burning the fields.

There are also several new products certified to TransFair, the U.S. fair trade certification agency. In addition to EcoSocial sugar, Global Organics is also offering fair trade certified organic cocoa powder. This past June, fair trade pioneer Frontier Natural Products launched the first line of fair trade certified spices, including several grinds of black pepper and whole black peppercorns, white pepper (whole and ground), Ceylon cinnamon (whole and ground), cloves (whole and ground), mace (whole and ground), nutmeg (whole and ground), ground ginger and ground turmeric.

Mountain Rose Herbs has also added to its extensive line of fair trade certified products, including fair trade yerba mate, cocoa butter, coconut oil, vanilla bean and black pepper. Elan is offering fair trade vanilla as well.