Culinology - June 2021 - 38

trends. The research included a series of virtual, interactive at-home
culinary experiences led by chefs exploring a wide range of flavors.
" The pandemic sizably shifted the way we have lived our lives
over the past year, yet food continues to be a way to bring people
together, even virtually, " said Kevan Vetter, executive chef and
director of culinary development at McCormick & Co. " Despite
global travel restrictions, lockdowns, and logging in from vastly
different time zones, it was moving to see everyone committed to
our mission to study emerging trends and identify the flavors that
will undoubtedly spark inspiration for both the home cook and
professional chef for years to come. "
Ingredients like carrots in this carrot cake ice cream sundae add a
vibrant color in a range of foods and beverages.
unveils
certification mark
The Upcycled Food Association (UFA) introduced a
new certification mark to provide consumers with
clear guidance about the presence of upcycled food
ingredients in a range of products, including food and
beverages, pet food, dietary supplements and more.
The UFA enlisted the help of Drexel University and
Mattson, a food and beverage design and development
firm, to gather consumer research surrounding the
creation of the seal, which was crafted by branding
agency Modern Species. The research showed more than
50% of consumers had increased intent to buy Upcycled
Certified food when the mark was on packaging.
" The upcycled certification seal is transformative for
centralizing the messaging around upcycled food, " said
Caroline Cotto, president of the UFA board. " We want
consumers to see the mark and immediately understand
not only what upcycled food is, but more importantly, the
impact upcycled food has from a climate perspective.
Purchasing upcycled food puts the power back into the
hands of consumers to make a tangible reduction in
global food loss. "
A study published in the journal Food and Nutrition
Sciences found just 10% of consumers are familiar with
upcycled food products. Once educated about upcycled
foods, however, 80% said they would seek those
products.
One goal of the seal is to expand awareness about
upcycled food, including what it is and why its presence
in products matters for the environment and climate. With
a broad consumer education campaign about the seal
and food waste, the UFA is aiming to double the upcycled
industry's growth rate. Doing so could prevent more
than 8.8 billion lbs of food waste and 28 billion lbs of CO2
emissions by 2030, according to the UFA.
" Food waste accounts for 6% of all human-caused
greenhouse gases, " said Turner Wyatt, co-founder and
chief executive officer of the UFA. " Mitigating it counts as
the single-most productive thing people can do to dialback
climate change. In addition, businesses around the
world lose $1 trillion a year to food waste. This seal and
the certification program backing it will simultaneously help
solve the food-waste problem while saving businesses
money. It also nurtures the creation of new businesses
revolving around upcycled foods. Everybody wins. "
The seal follows more than a year of collaboration
between multiple stakeholders to develop the Upcycled
Certification Standard, which offers a set of rules
establishing definitions for upcycled ingredients and
products, protocols for incorporating them into products
and the ability for certified companies to use the new
consumer-facing upcycled food seal on products.
The UFA in February launched a pilot program for its
Upcycled Certification Program in partnership with Where
Food Comes From, a food industry certification and
verification services provider. Open enrollment to apply for
certification is slated to begin in June 2021.
JUNE 2021 | Culinology | 37
Culinology - June 2021

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