Project
ProOrg - Code of Practice for organic food processing
The organic food market is one of the fastest growing food sector in the world. A major part of the organic food consumed is processed. Therefore, the increasing demand of organic food represents a major challenge for the organic food industry. With the exclusion of a positive list of additives and technological aids, mandatory standards for the processing of organic food are lacking in the European Regulation, as well as indications that can represent a guide for the processors in the selection of appropriate technologies and innovations in line with the organic principles.
To contribute to the sustainable innovation in the organic food sector, the project has the objective to develop a flexible and practicable Code of Practice (CoP) for processors of organic foods, as well as labelling organizations. The project builds on a participatory design and involves experts from different scientific disciplines, representatives of processors, traders, labelling organizations and other relevant stakeholders, as well as individual companies. The development of the CoP will be based on an iterative process in which the CoP will be tested at industry and retail level by case studies and a market survey, supported with scientific experiments and analytical determinations, to define the final version. Studies will be performed to identify consumer preferences and acceptance of processing technologies of organic food. A dissemination plan completes the project.
The target groups of the project are processors of organic food, traders, labelling organisations and other relevant stakeholders, including consumers and consumer organisations.