News | O.W.N.

Fall 2013

Fine Food Australia a hit with organic suppliers
Sun, 10/11/13 - 09:54
By Warren Beaumont

Fine Food Australia, held at the Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre, September 9-12, attracted a good mix of local and international exhibitors displaying organic products, foods and beverages. On the second day exhibitors told O.W.N. they were happy with the buyer
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Japan Gold & Spiral Foods team up for U.S. export drive
Tue, 10/09/13 - 06:39
By Warren Beaumont

A recent Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) consumer survey found that Japanese foods were the most popular globally and a close 3rd in the U.S. to Italian and Chinese food. This is great news for Japan Gold USA, a division of MUSO Co., pioneer in the Japanese orga
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Expoalimentaria displays best food in Latin America
Tue, 10/09/13 - 03:22
By Adriana Michael

The 5th Edition of Expoalimentaria, the most international platform for food trade in the Andean region, returns to Lima October 15-17 at the Jockey Exhibition Center. In an area of 20,800 m2 around 600 exhibitors (25% from abroad) will exhibit a wide range of fresh prod
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Loblaw pilots new Nutshell health & wellness store
Tue, 10/09/13 - 02:20

Canada’s Loblaw plans to launch health-oriented store called Nutshell Live Life Well and position itself in price below Whole Foods Market. The concept will include a broad assortment of prepared, fresh and packaged food, a prescription pharmacy, natural health and
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Migros targets 30 more Alnatura stores, direct sourcing
Mon, 09/09/13 - 11:12
By O.W.N News Network

Switzerland’s Migros cooperatives has revealed plans to expand its new organic store concept Alnatura-Migros by around 20-30 new stores in Switzerland in partnership with German organic retailer Alnatura, and source more brands direct from other countries. CEO Herb
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Natural Products Scandinavia expands organics, beauty to build on 2012 success
Mon, 09/09/13 - 05:04
By Warren Beaumont

Voted best international launch in 2012 at the annual exhibition industry awards in London this year, Natural Products Scandinavia returns to Malmo, Sweden’s first Fairtrade City this 20-21 October. With exhibition space almost sold out and representatives from 25 c
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BioBrazil Fair BioFach America Latina partnership proves successful
Mon, 09/09/13 - 04:19
By Paula Salazar

The first edition of BioBrazil Fair BioFach America Latina as a joint event between the Brazilian Francal Feiras and the German NürnbergMesse show organizers has proven a recipe for success. To start, the 9th edition of BioBrazil Fairʜ with the return of BioFach
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Kroger acquires Harris Teeter
Mon, 09/09/13 - 02:55
By O.W.N News Network

The Kroger Co, the second-largest retailer in the U.S., is under a merger agreement to buy Harris Teeter Supermarkets Inc, an upscale grocer known for fresh foods and produce, in a deal valued at $2.5 billion. Harris Teeter brings to Kroger an exceptional brand and compl
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U.S and Japan sign Organic Equivalency deal
Sun, 08/09/13 - 11:31

United States & Japan sign organic equivalence deal The first organic equivalence agreement made in Asia by the United States and the first without organic standards exceptions was signed on September 26 between the U.S. and Japan at All Things Organic, Natural Produ
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Health and wellness lead snacks category
Sun, 08/09/13 - 08:33
By Warren Beaumont

Organic and natural snack foods are a growing category in specialist health food stores and major supermarkets around the world as consumers look for healthier and nutritious options that are free of pesticides, chemicals and GMOs. Packaged Facts estimates that 20% of al
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Healthy & organic choices drives customers to Vancouver store
Sun, 08/09/13 - 02:10
By Warren Beaumont

Demand for and sales of organics, fair trade and whole food products have increased over the last 6-12 months for Vancouver, Canada retailer Choices Markets. Recent stats in a Canada Organic Trade Association study stated that 57% of Canadians intend to buy organics each
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The Impact of Equivalency and Free Trade Agreements to the Organic Sector
Sat, 07/09/13 - 10:17
By Warren Beaumont

O.W.N. asked Matthew Holmes, executive director of the Canada Organic Trade Association (COTA), and Markus Arbenz, executive director of IFOAM, about the impact of free trade agreements and how they compare with organic equivalency agreements. What will free trade agreem
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Waitrose expands delivery options
Sat, 07/09/13 - 02:43

Upmarket UK grocer Waitrose plans to step up its multichannel credentials with the launch of temperature-controlled delivery lockers for click-and-collect customers in-store and at remote locations. Shoppers on waitrose.com would be able to collect their shopping using a
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Casino gains full control of Monoprix stores
Fri, 06/09/13 - 03:06

Groupe Casino has gained final clearance from the French Competition Authority to assume full control of its joint venture partner Monoprix Group. However, the retailer is required to dispose of 10% of its stores. Casino had agreed to sell 55 stores in Paris, out of aroun
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German court’s ‘misleading’ stevia ruling draws fire from stevia industry
Thu, 05/09/13 - 11:26
By O.W.N News Network

The European stevia industry has hit back in early June following a German court’s temporary ruling that prohibited manufacturers from suggesting that the sweetener is natural on stevia labelling. A German consumer group took the manufacturer of a stevia sweetener p
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Natexpo 2013 welcomes buyers with new features, more products
Thu, 05/09/13 - 04:32
By Adriana Michael

NATEXPO, the leading international biennial fair for French organic, dietary and ecologic food and products returns for the 2013 exhibition, to be held October 20-22 at Paris-Nord Villepinte in Hall 7. Retailers will converge on this unique b2b exhibition, featuring what&
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Rewe growth strategy: Temma ‘bio’ concept
Wed, 04/09/13 - 07:48
By O.W.N News Network

Germany’s Rewe Group is developing an expansion strategy in Eastern Europe for its Billa supermarket chain. Billa supermarket has revealed details about its expansion in the Czech Republic, including developing both through organic growth and via acquisitions. Billa
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COSMOS aims to harmonise Europe’s organic & natural cosmetic standards
Tue, 03/09/13 - 08:17
By Warren Beaumont

Harmonisation of organic and natural cosmetics standards is now happening due to initiatives taken by leading certification groups such as BDIH, COSMEBIO, ECOCERT Greenlife, ICEA, SOIL Association and their associated certification bodies, who have been working on harmoni
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Equivalence for organic imports – who should make the rules?
Mon, 02/09/13 - 09:11

The seminar ‘Who will stop the equivalence nonsense for organic imports’ presented by Albrecht Benzing of private German organic certification services company CERES at BioFach 2013, was a great contribution to recent debate over issues arising from organic eq
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Retailers recognized for increasing awareness about GMOs
Sun, 01/09/13 - 03:11

It’s estimated that 75% or more of non-organic processed foods in the U.S. are contaminated with genetically modified organisms (GMOs). The Organic Consumers Association (OCA), a Minnesota, USA-based non- profit consumer advocacy group, recently asked consumers to n
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Greenwashed cosmetics threaten consumer health and certified organics
Sun, 01/09/13 - 03:06
By Warren Beaumont

Widespread ‘greenwashing’ by conventional and ‘natural’ cosmetic brands that do not have organic certification but whose brand name or packaging contains messages such as ‘organic’, made with ‘certified organic ingredients’
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Stop Biotech Bullying and Demand Transparency
Fri, 30/08/13 - 08:59
By Kat Schuett

“Secrecy” and “democracy” are not words that usually belong together—especially when it comes to determining rules that will govern the future of our global food system and set regulations for health and safety. Over the past few years, howe
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Organic producers need to communicate ethical messages
Thu, 29/08/13 - 05:29
By Warren Beaumont

A study published in the Journal Appetite (Vol 62, 1 March 2013, pages 133-142) by Katrin Zander (University of Kassell, Germany) et al, ‘Promising ethical arguments for product differentiation in the organic food sector. A mixed methods research approach’ su
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Machu Picchu Foods introduces Quinoa Krunch
Thu, 29/08/13 - 01:55
By O.W.N News Network

Machu Picchu Foods, Peru’s main chocolate and confectionary producer and leading exporter of organic chocolate, is introducing Quinoa Krunch, an organic wafer stick with quinoa and rice, covered with chocolate and popped amaranth. This delicious snack adds to Machu
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UHTCO Corp. goes back to its roots
Wed, 28/08/13 - 13:46
By Adriana Michael

UHTCO Corp., a Canadian firm of Peruvian origins, has been expanding. It has introduced its newest product line, Peruvian Harvest, this year. This new retail range of light processed and unique ready-to-eat and easy-to- prepare super foods from the rich Peruvian cuisine w
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Organic & Natural Beauty Show launches in London
Wed, 28/08/13 - 04:54
By Paula Salazar

The Organic & Natural Beauty Show 2013 took place 2-3 June at the ExCel exhibition and convention centre in London. The trade show was the first of its kind in London to offer organic and natural product creators a venue in which to promote their lines directly to con
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Riverside Natural Foods Ltd. launches MadeGood™
Mon, 26/08/13 - 11:49
By O.W.N News Network

MadeGood™, a new brand of healthy organic snacks is launching globally in Anuga Germany this fall. Riverside Natural Foods Ltd. hopes to take with its new brand healthy snacking to the next level by combining proprietary technology with nutrient rich, minimally proc
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Toronto’s Europe Now celebrates second edition
Mon, 26/08/13 - 10:28
By Adriana Michael

The 2nd annual international trade show and matchmaking forum Europe NOW Lifestyle Expo is scheduled for September 23-25, at the Toronto Congress Centre. Canada’s unique business forum dedicated to promoting trade and investments with Europe and the USA consists of
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Packaging: Key topic at upcoming Sustainable Cosmetics Summits
Tue, 20/08/13 - 10:59
By O.W.N News Network

Research and consulting firmOrganic Monitor will host its second edition of the Latin American Sustainable Cosmetics Summit September 18-20 in Sao Paulo. Sustainable packaging is a focal theme of this event and also at its European edition this fall. Discussion topics inc
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Natexpo welcomes buyers with new features and wider range of products
Thu, 01/08/13 - 10:50
By Warren Beaumont

NATEXPO, the leading international biennial fair for French organic, dietary and ecologic food and products returns for the 2013 edition, to be held Sunday 20, Monday 21 and Tuesday 22 October 2013 at Paris-Nord Villepinte (HQE) environmentally certified Hall 7. Buyers w
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