FoodChain ID, a company specializing in food safety, testing, and sustainability projects, has expanded the number of certifications it offers to include a vegetarian, plant-based, and vegan (VEG) certification program.
 
“Consumers are increasingly turning to a full range of plant-based and meatless products, especially as alternative protein sources,” Mark Dabroski, FoodChain ID’s senior vice president of commercial services, said. “This newly established certification is in response to customer demand for a labeling solution that provides greater product transparency.”
 
Many novel plant-based products being introduced to the market at this time leads to challenges for those within the industry seeking to meet consumer demands while also mitigating risk. Complex products present difficulties in detecting animal substances in addition to the fact that ingredients on labels often are identified using very technical terms. There is no legal obligation for ingredients suppliers to indicate any animal origin of materials and substances used in manufacturing.
 
The global vegan food market value is estimated to reach around $24.3 billion by 2026 and will grow at a 9% CAGR over the forecast time frame, FoodChain ID reports, citing a study conducted by Acument Research and Consulting. Fast food ingredients in the U.S., such as meatless burgers, and retailers featuring similar meat analogs are further supporting market demand at this time, the company said.
 
FoodChain ID’s VEG Program enables food manufacturers to increase transparency, add value to their brands, and meet current consumer and retail demand, the company said.
 
“Our VEG Certification can be bundled with existing Non-GMO Project Verification and/or USDA Organic Certification for greater efficiency and cost savings for clients using multiple certifications,” Dabroski said.
 
For more information on the requirements, standards, and methods of certification, visit the program’s website.