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127
zation. However, definitions of organic
still vary from country to country. The
documents may be accessed at http://
www.codexalimentarius.net/download/
standards/360/CXG_032e.pdf.
Reviewing current and projected
sales of organic foods and beverages
(see "Organic Food and Beverage Market" on Page 130), Europe is the leader
in organic food consumption. However, the US Agency for International
Development and nongovernment
organizations from Europe have been
quite active in developing nations on
the African continent and elsewhere to
create and implement organic farming
operations as a means for building
value-added exports. These and other
growers must meet the European standards for organic and be certified to
ensure they are using good agricultural practices to assure food safety.
The driving force behind the growth
of organic foods is the belief they are
healthier and better for you. This is
especially true among women shopping for their families. Issues such as
producing without pesticides and hormones play a major role in people's decisions to buy organic. It is also a sign
of the influence of organic foods advocates on well-educated persons. Many
seem to believe that conventionally
produced products are "loaded" with
pesticides, hormones and chemicals.
PACKAGING. Food packaging has
been a lightening rod around the world
for many years. There is a belief that
food packaging makes up most of what
goes into our landfills. According to
T.W. Downes, Ph.D., retired professor,
Michigan State School of Packaging,
East Lansing, MI, this is patently false.
There has been a greater push
throughout the world to ensure that
food packaging is reused. Europe is
again the leader in this area. German
packaging regulations are designed to
ensure that most packaging is reused.
The German laws were implemented
in three phases during the early 1990s

and updated and enhanced throughout the decade.
The burden of recycling and disposal is on the processor packaging
the products. If packages cannot be
recycled or reused, the processor will
be accountable. This law has proved
unpopular with other European
Union (EU) members, although the
EU as a whole acknowledges the importance of reuse and recycling. According to some experts, this program
"can be considered to be successful in
reducing waste, spurring the redesign
of packaging to be more environmentally sustainable, and increases refilling and recycling." This is not to say
that there are not problems. There are
issues with recycling plastics, plus the
German market for recycled products
is not good.
WATER AND WASTEWATER. Water
is essential for all life and many processing systems. Water systems can become contaminated with chemicals or
pathogens. Parts of the central US had
a major problem in the recent past with
Cryptosporidium parvum after floods
swamped a water treatment plant.
The Rhine River, which serves as a
highway and drinking water source for
much of Europe, was closed because
of chemical spills, as was the Songhua
River in China in late 2005. In the Chinese situation, an explosion at a chemical plant resulted in huge quantities
of benzene and nitrobenzene being
released into the river.
The oceans are also a concern. A Feb.
15, report in Science stated that "Overfishing, pollution, climate change and
other human activities are threatening nearly every ocean and heavily affecting more than 40% of them." The
work was coauthored by Dennis Heinemann, Ph.D., senior scientist, at
Ocean Conservancy, Washington, DC.
There are concerns about not only
the quality of water but also its quantity. It was recently reported that major US lakes such as Powell and Mead,

SOMETIMES IT'S
WHO YOU KNOW

a.
,i
_

hile planning to earn both a
master of science and doctorate
degree in biology, Norman Fox wanted
something to do "on the side." His "something on the side," was the Donut Den
which turned into a 33-year success.
When Norman decided to open a
doughnut shop, a friend, Herb Stewart,
introduced him to Oliver Harlow, founder
of Honey Flush Donuts, a 40-store chain.
Stewart and Harlow helped Norman open
the Donut Den, in July, 1973, in Nashville,
Tennessee. "Oliver Harlow not only
inspired, but gave me valuable practical
advice," said Norman.
Harlow started using International®
Bakers Services (IBS) flavorings in the
1960s, and suggested that Norman do the
same. He highly recommended
Cinnamon-Butter Blend. Today, that flavor
is the secret ingredient in the Donut Den's
Apple Fritters-their most popular product. "There is no other type of cinnamon
flavoring that makes the product taste this
good," stated Norman.
Consistency is the key to success in
any business. Maintaining a core product
line and keeping up with new trends keeps
regular customers coming back and
attracts new customers as well. "Another
secret to help ensure consistent quality is
our own Harold Graves, the cook for the
Donut Den for over 30 years," Norman
stated. But he attributes his 33 years of
success to following Harlow's recommendation-relying on the flavors from
International® Bakers Services. "Their flavors are consistently the best," according
to Norman.
Norman was a graduate student during
the first four years of the Donut Den.
After earning his doctorate degree, he
taught in university classrooms. But it
was a friend of a friend who taught him
his most valuable business lessons.
Sometimes it's who you know that helps
the most.
If you value consistent quality, you
should get to know International® Bakers
Services. Contact us toll-free at (800)
345-7175, by fax at (574) 287-7161, or in
writing at 1902 North Sheridan Ave.,
South Bend, Indiana 46628. We have the
flavors your customers deserve.
For more information, see Page 141

May 2008 / BAKING & SNACK

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Baking & Snack - May 2008

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