Snac World - August 2016 - (Page 7)

MANN HIGGINS GMO Free: Supplier's Perspective C ongress recently passed the Roberts-Stabenow Bill regarding the labeling of genetically modified organisms (GMO). The implications of this agreement could affect your next moves because of the impact it will have on your ingredient suppliers. The bill is expected to be signed into law by the President, after which you likely will have a couple of years before compliance is mandatory. Once signed, the bill will be sent to the USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) which has up to two years to finalize the rule. When the law comes into effect, snack manufacturers will have several options regarding non-GMO claims. Depending on which one you choose, it could impact your ingredient supply chain. One option is to make a claim based on how non-GMO is defined in the Roberts-Stabenow Bill. The federal government has chosen to define a genetically modified organism as one created using recombinant DNA techniques. In layman's terms: GMO is taking a gene from one organism and putting it in another. This definition leaves the aspiring non-GMO snack producer a wide range of useful ingredients if they choose to use the government system of determining non-GMO status. During the time of uncertainty prior to AMS finalizing their rule it is likely that simple documentation from your ingredient supplier would be sufficient to make a claim. This approach could be fairly affordable and efficient. Another option is to make a claim using a certifying agency and within this option there are several to choose from. Some agencies demand an onerous amount of documentation to use their certifying symbol and their process for approval can take months or more than a year. With these agencies, the lack of acceptable ingredients often means sacrificing taste and range of offerings. There are other certifying agencies that require testing in tandem with paperwork requirements that better fit into a fast-market approach. These agency requirements afford the ability to use a wider range of ingredients. Depending on the outside agency you use, the costs can range from affordable to costly, and it is important to understand all of their requirements for certification up front. There are many approaches to addressing the requirement to disclose bioengineered ingredients from simply disclosing them to removing them entirely through a rigorous program of certification. It is important to discern what the objectives are for your company or product line before choosing how you are going to disclose GMOs and to work with your ingredient suppliers to understand the impact on price and availability. Fortunately, now there are choices and a clear direction thanks to Congress (yes I just said that) and the significant efforts of SNAC International to educate and advocate on behalf of the snack food industry. - Jeff Higgins, President, Savor Seasonings www.snacintl.org August 2016 SNAC World 7 http://www.snacintl.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Snac World - August 2016

Snac World - August 2016
Table of Contents
LETTER FROM SFA - SNAC International Leading the Way
GMO Free: Supplier’s Perspective
News - Reasons millennials find snacking fulfilling
Consumers willing to pay extra for quality ingredients
GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS - Policy Outlook
LEGISLATIVE SUMMIT - Legislative Summit Brings Industry’s Voice to DC
BUSINESS MEMBER PROFILE - B&G Foods
ASSOCIATE MEMBER PROFILE - Leading with Innovation
CONVENIENCE STORE TRENDS - Victory in Variety
NEW SNACKS
PRODUCTS & SERVICES

Snac World - August 2016