Over the past decade, consumers have become more vocal in their desire to have clearer labeling for food products. They view this transparency as not only a means to better understand new and unfamiliar food ingredients; but more importantly, it allows them to make empowered decisions about the foods they purchase. These consumer-driven trends include allergen identification, clean food labeling, and more recently, GMO labeling.
Just last month, President Obama signed the GMO food labeling bill which in essence moves the needle even closer for concerned consumers on this complex issue. This new legislation requires the USDA to clarify the regulations within two years, but it’s still not clear when food companies will be required to start labeling their products.
As a result of this bill and prior consumer advocacy, the food industry has taken notice with many companies already implementing changes that relate to the GMO movement in an effort to stay ahead of the new regulations that are taking effect. This is being lead in part, by many large food manufacturers who have recently updated their labeling to include GMO information. These manufacturers include Kellogg’s, Mars, General Mills and Campbell Soup Company.
GMO-free claims continue their rapid growth as evidenced at the recent IFT 2016, in Chicago, IL, where Innova Market Insights reported a 44% increase in new product launches using GMO-free ingredients between July, 2014 and June, 2015. You can be sure this is only the beginning, as more new products are introduced and new reformulations occur while this trend gains momentum and new Federal regulations become more defined.
Skidmore Sales and Distributing is Ready to Help.
Whether it’s organic, natural, clean label, gluten free, or non-GMO, Skidmore Sales not only carries the right ingredients; but also, we can help you stay abreast of these influential, accelerating trends. At the present time, more than 50% of our inventory is comprised of non-GMO ingredients. Our staff of food and meat scientists are eager to assist in new product development and reformulation projects.
“Skidmore Sales continues to increase our non-GMO offerings to insure our customers receive timely and on-trend ingredients. If you don’t see it on our website, call us and we’ll meet your challenge! We are experts at sourcing hard-to-find ingredients, so let us find it for you!” – Jim McCarthy, Skidmore President
As this new era in product labeling and formulations takes shape, you can count on Skidmore Sales’ commitment to provide innovative food ingredient solutions with the flavors and nutrition options that your consumers demand.
To review our expansive list of non-GMO ingredients, click here.
Please be sure to follow our newsletter for announcements and updates from our many suppliers as the non-GMO demand grows. Click here for the Skidmore Sales website.
