Flavor chemists literally turn to nature when searching for solutions in their development of organic ingredients to ensure compliance with stringent organic regulations. Organic flavors and ingredients manufactured according to standards specified by the National Organic Program (NOP) may display the USDA Organic Seal. Organic flavors are all-natural and produced without synthetic pesticides, fertilizers or genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
All ingredients used in flavor development have been grown according to strict uniform standards that are verified by independent state or private organizations. To become certified, a company must provide a USDA NOP accredited organic certifier with a detailed production plan. The company will receive certification once its facility and plan have been audited and compliance to standards is met, notes Karen Manheimer, vice president, Mastertaste’s Natural Products Division.