Official Made with Pulses seal unveiled

The Global Pulse Confederation introduced the new Pulse Brand and “Made with Pulses” seal at this year’s IFT Annual Meeting & Food Expo in Chicago.

The Pulse Brand and “Made with Pulses” seal are distinctive green and gold symbols intended to help consumers easily identify food products that contain pulse ingredients (dry peas, beans, lentils and chickpeas). The seal and Pulse Brand are available to food manufacturers, consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies and the foodservice industry to use on packages and in promotions.

The United Nations has designated 2016 as the International Year of Pulses, which has helped increase consumer interest in pulses. Interest has also been spurred by the fact that food companies and consumers are looking for affordable food options that are healthy, nutritious, and environmentally sustainable.

According to a Global Pulse Confederation press release, several global companies are already showing strong interest in the new “Made with Pulses” seal. Companies that have already signed on to use the Pulse Brand include Princes Food and Drink Group (Napolina and Batchelors brands), JM Grain, AGT Food and Ingredients and Floating Leaf Fine Foods.

“The ‘Made with Pulses’ seal gives companies the unique opportunity to tie their products to the momentum pulses are gaining as healthy, nutritious and sustainable ingredients that fit with today’s lifestyle and taste preferences,” says Daria Lukie, Pulse Brand Manager for the Global Pulse Confederation. “The Pulse Brand provides shoppers with an easy way to identify products that are good for people and good for the planet.”

Packaged products that contain pulses in the top five ingredients by weight and a minimum of five per cent of the final formulation are eligible to apply to use the “Made with Pulses” seal. If the product qualifies, the brand and seal can be used on packaging and promotional materials.

The first packages featuring the new “Made with Pulses” seal are expected to begin appearing on store shelves before the end of the year.

For more information on the criteria or to submit a product for consideration, visit www.pulses.org/pulse-brand or contact pulsebrand@pulses.org.