Gluten-free certification adds plant-based to meet consumer trends

TheAllergen Control Group (ACG)(a BRC Global Standards company), owners of the Gluten-Free Certification Program (GFCP), have announced the formation of two food-industry stakeholder working groups to support the development and launch of the first internationally recognized and voluntary Plant-Based Certification Program (PBCP).  A limited number of seats are still available for participation from key brand owners, grocery retailers and manufacturers. The first face-to-face sessions will be hosted in both North America and Europe, towards the end of February 2019.

As more and more consumers are incorporating plant-based foods into their diets, they are also increasingly discerning when faced with endless product options. When implemented and verified at the manufacturing stage, the PBCP will then be the trusted “on-pack” trademark/symbol to attract customers, differentiate products, build trusted brand loyalty and protect the brand reputation, associated with making such a claim.

With the ever-changing regulatory landscape, and increased consumer demands, brands and manufacturers are even more challenged when making sound and trustworthy specialty-food product claims. “Although, there appears to be little or no current regulations around these claims, our PBCP will be designed to enable consumers to make safe and informed choices, while also meeting the current and future practical needs of our industry”, said Paul Valder, president and CEO at Allergen Control Group.

“The key message for the customer related to our PBCP is to communicate that making a plant-based consumer claim is all about food and diet, where vegan claims are strictly a lifestyle. Consumers today want to incorporate plant-based foods into their diet, but do not consider themselves vegan”, said Katie Daniels, Technical Program Manager at ACG.

Ms. Daniels said that “retailers, brands and manufacturers around the globe can now gain operational and financial efficiencies, by combining their existing annual third-party food safety audit, together with both our gluten-free and plant-based certification programs”.