Global Market Research Company Euromonitor International launched the new Ethical Labels database, responding to the growing movement towards sustainability, social responsibility and transparency on labels.

Halal claims on food labels, packaging or advertising material must now include the name of the certifying body.

The 16% of Americans who buy kosher products do so in an effort to maintain a halal diet, making it the fourth-most cited reason for buying kosher, behind the 55% of those who eat kosher for health and safety reasons, the 38% who are vegetarians and 35% who simply like the taste or flavor.

The move is to address growing demands by Muslim-Turkish consumers in Europe.

Both kosher- and halal-certified products convey a sense of food quality and safety to consumers, proving the recent growth in both markets goes beyond religion. Speakers at two Prepared Foods’ R&DSeminars provided information and insight on what makes these two markets perfect mainstream cross-overs.

Seven new Saffron Road items will be rolled out nationally in Whole Foods Markets’ stores between July and August 2012, just in time for Ramadan.

Butter Buds Food Ingredients has been selected to participate in The Profitable Sustainability Initiative of Wisconsin. The Racine-based company is one of thirty state manufacturers selected for this program.