Why Choose Food Research Lab's FRL as Your Food Product Development (FPD) Consultant and Partner?

There are several options in almost every product area in today’s market, and the difficulty is in coming up with unique items that stand out and connect with customers. Food Research Lab's Food Research Lab (FRL) takes a holistic approach to creating food and beverage products. We define, demographically target, and build effective goods through a sequential process for category selection and comprehension. The client can visit the lab to learn the process. We offer unlimited rounds of revisions to ensure customer satisfaction. The final product prototype, along with the documentation process, including the video (through email), will be shipped to the client, and in case the client is not satisfied with the video, a food technology consultant will visit the place for the product demo at the client’s costs.

What are the different forms that you deliver the Food Product Formulations?

The food industry is witnessing a new form of consumption. Keeping that in mind, we can formulate the products in the form of ready-to-eat, ready-to-drink, ready-to-mix, ready-to-serve, and ready-to-cook food products. We use ingredients that offer an added value to the development and improve its indulgence and sustainability in terms of its functional ingredients, plant-based food dyes, and natural preservatives with a clean label.

What are the sectors Food Research Lab cover?

We cover a wide range of sectors such as soups, sauces and dips, chips, tortillas, dry beverage powder, plant-based products, masalas, puddings, instant mixes and many more.

How is sensory testing been carried out?

Our sensory examination leads to the precise formulation and recipe recommendations. We develop data-driven design models based on sensory research and customer insights. The fact-based design methodology used by Food Research Lab reduces risk and gives our clients market confidence while cutting development time in half. With our dedicated sensory lab facility, our team takes satisfaction in creating and optimizing successful products in the marketplace, generating a favourable return on investment, and developing brand advocates.

The perception of consuming food among the people is not same as before taking decade ago. Especially after the covid-19 pandemic, the people are shifting to organic foods as they are giving more concern to health. Additionally, consumers these days are searching for natural, clean, and healthful food, which has driven them to search for the term “organic’ on food goods. This makes the food industry give more importance to the organic foods development and demanding the manufacturers to get organic certifications. This blog will explore the process of obtaining USDA Organic Certification certifications and the key steps to develop USDA-certified organic food products.

USDA Organic Certification: A Comprehensive Guide to Developing Organic Food Products

Interesting News, August 12, 2024.

USDA Organic Certification: A Comprehensive Guide to Developing Organic Food Products

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The perception of consuming food among the people is not same as before taking decade ago. Especially after the covid-19 pandemic, the people are shifting to organic foods as they are giving more concern to health. Additionally, consumers these days are searching for natural, clean, and healthful food, which has driven them to search for the term “organic’ on food goods. This makes the food industry give more importance to the organic foods development and demanding the manufacturers to get organic certifications. This blog will explore the process of obtaining USDA Organic Certification certifications and the key steps to develop USDA-certified organic food products.

Understanding USDA Organic Certification

Having clear knowledge about the USDA Organic Certification beforehand is more essential for successful development of organic foods. The organic certification is provided by United States Department of Agriculture to food products that are produced strictly following organic standards. These standards describe the specific requirements that are needed to follow in all stages of food production from how the food is grown, processed and developed. This certification ensures that the food developed is free from synthetic pesticides, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), and other prohibited substances.

What is USDA Organic Certification?

The term organic indicates that the product has been produced in compliance with the (United States Department of Agriculture) USDA organic standards, indicating that it has maintained ecological balance, cycled resources, and conserved biodiversity. All products developed by the producers must adhere to the rules and regulations developed by the USDA’s National Organic Program for all stages including production, labelling, handling, and enforcement

Standards and regulations

USDA organic standards outline the specific requirements that must be verified by a USDA-accredited certifying agent before products can be labeled organic.There are different standards based on the crop and food products such as crop standards, livestock and poultry standards and handling standards. Key principles used to set these standards are;

No synthetic chemicals: The use of synthetic fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides is forbidden in organic farming.
Non-GMO: According to organic regulations, genetically modified organisms (GMOs) must not be present in products.
Animal WelfareProducts containing animal products must be certified organic and must adhere to humane animal care standards, such as providing pasture and organic feed to animals.

Key Steps to Achieve USDA Organic Certification

The farmers or handling facilities who strictly adhere to the USDA regulations are confirmed by the international certification program that they are eligible for organic label. There are five necessary steps to get this certification [3].

Create an organic system plan

Creating the organic system plan is the initial step for the certification process which details the operation comply with the regulations based on its unique characteristics. This plan will be varied based on the operation type and needs.

Implementation and Agent review

Organic certification can be provided by organizations including private, foreign, or state-affiliated companies who have received USDA accreditation. These certifying agents are available in all parts of the USA and other countries also. It is the duty of certifying agents to guarantee that all organic requirements are met by organic products.

Inspection

A certifying agent is the first person to inspect every operation involved in the certification process. The inspection process will vary based on the farming scope or facilities. For instance, inspecting field health, soil conditions, pest management strategies, water systems, storage spaces, and equipment is important in crop production.

Reviewing Inspection Report

After the observation of practices, the inspector presents reports to the certifying agent comparing them to the organic system plan. In addition to the report, the inspector also presents risk assessment, analyze potential hazards, identify critical points, and ensure contamination prevention procedures.

Certifier Decision

The certifying agent issues an organic certificate after confirming that the operation is adhered to the rules.

Maintaining certification

To maintain a certification, the inspection must be done at least once a year. In order to keep your organic status of farming, you must continuously comply with USDA criteria.

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Key Steps in Certification process

Requirement	Description
Organic Systems Plan (OSP)	Farms, handlers, and processors must submit a detailed application outlining their operations, processes, and products. The OSP helps inspectors and consumers trace organic products from the farm to the table.
Soil and Ecosystem Health	Organic operations must maintain or improve soil and water quality while conserving wetlands, woodlands, and wildlife. These efforts must be documented in the OSP.
Prohibited Practices	The use of synthetic fertilizers, sewage sludge, irradiation, and genetic engineering is strictly forbidden. The National List below provides further guidance on what is and isn’t permitted in organic production, handling, and processing.
Buffer Zones	Organic fields must have buffers established to separate them from nearby conventional farms.
Manure Management	Manure can only be used according to strict guidelines, including specific composting time and temperature requirements to eliminate pathogens.
Transition Period	Fields that were previously farmed conventionally must undergo a three-year transition period during which they must be farmed organically. Produce grown during this time cannot be labeled “organic” until the transition period is complete.
Certification Audits	Thorough certification audits by third-party inspectors, both scheduled and surprise visits, are conducted annually for all organic farms, handlers, and processors to ensure compliance with USDA organic standards.
Artificial Additives	Organic food products must not contain artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives.
Compliance with Other Regulations	All products labeled as organic must also adhere to federal, state, FDA, and international food safety regulations.

Benefits of USDA Organic Certification

There are several benefits for both producers and processors who are obtaining USDA Organic Certification [2].

Producers and handlers can enjoy the benefits through organic certification include receiving premium prices, access to growing markets, supporting local economies, providing additional funding and technical assistance, and promoting product marketing.

It also helps in

Achieving success in the marketplace

Enhance water quality

Conserve energy

Increase biodiversity

Contribute to soil health

USDA Regulations for Organic Food Products

The USDA provided the extensive requirements for organic food products covering every aspect of the production process. The critical area covered in this requirement are [1].

Crop products: Organic crop must be grown in land did not use any prohibited substances for at least 3 years before harvest, and should avoid genetic engineering, ionizing radiation, and sewage sludge in production land. Soil fertility and nutrients must be managed through tillage, crop rotations, cover crops, and synthetic materials.
Livestock Standards: Livestock must be raised organically in natural condition, and they must feed 100% organic feed with allowed vitamin and mineral supplements.
Processing standards: Organic products must be produced with the products following the National list of allowed and prohibited substances. The process should not mingle organic products with non-organic products and protect organic products from prohibited substances.

Requirements for Organic Food Product Development

After certification, businesses can start developing and marketing organic food products. It involves several factors to consider.

Sourcing Organic Ingredients: The product should be made with ingredients that are organically certified, and non-organic ingredients are allowed only if they are listed in the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances.
Avoiding Prohibited Substances: In organic production, substances such as synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and GMO are prohibited.
Organic system plan (OSP): A complete and detailed organic system plan describing the way of product satisfying USDA organic standards must be created and followed in organic production.
Facility and Process Requirement: In organic food production, the process should allow the substances, whether it is synthetic or non-synthetic, based on the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances.

Organic Labeling and Marketing Guidelines

100% Organic: Products labelled “100 percent organic” must contain only organically produced ingredients.
Organic: Products labelled “organic” must consist of at least 95% organically produced ingredients. The remaining 5% of ingredients must be on the National List, such as salt.
Products sold, labelled, or represented as “made with” organic must have at least 70 percent certified organic content. The USDA organic seal may not be used on these products
Products containing less than 70 percent organic content may identify specific ingredients as organic in the ingredients list.
Producers who sell less than $5,000 annually in organic products are exempt from certification but must still adhere to USDA organic standards to use the term “organic” on their products. However, these producers cannot use the USDA Organic Seal without certification.

Ensuring Compliance with USDA Organic Standards

To keep your system in compliance with USDA organic standards, the producers must regularly update and monitor their organic system plan. Guarantee ongoing compliance with the following advice:

Regular Audits and Inspections: USDA regularly audits certifiers to ensure farm inspections and organic label integrity. Therefore, the producers must maintain accurate records and consistently follow organic practices for annual inspections.
Training and Education: The Organic Integrity Learning Center provides free online training for professionals in organic businesses, including certifiers, inspectors, reviewers, and compliance specialists. Continuous training is essential for your staff and yourself to ensure everyone is aligned with certification requirements.
Stay Updated: USDA organic standards can evolve, so staying informed about any changes or updates to the regulations is crucial.

Tips for Successful Organic Product Development

Developing a successful organic product involves more than just meeting USDA standards. Here are some additional tips [4]. Market Research: Understand the market demand for organic products and identify trends that can influence your product development.
Product Differentiation: Find ways to differentiate your organic product from competitors, whether through unique ingredients, sustainable packaging, or innovative marketing strategies.
Supply Chain Management: Establish a reliable supply chain for sourcing organic ingredients to ensure consistent product quality and availability.
Consumer Education: Educate your consumers about the benefits of organic products and how your product aligns with their values.

Conclusion

Despite the consumer preferences are changing related to organic food, still there is a lot of challenges and opportunities for the organic food industry. Some of the common challenges are higher production costs, supply chain issues, and competition. However, the consumer’s increased interest in organic foods can provide significant opportunities for business to overcome these challenges. By understanding the requirements of certification, the business can grow strongly concentrating on the sourcing and formulation of premium ingredients and interacting with customers. For queries about organic food development that meets US FDA Organic standards and organic certification, visit FoodResearchLab site.