Dive Brief:
- McCormick and Co. has announced the introduction of its non-GMO vanilla extract along with a number of other non-GMO and organic spices and flavorings.
- About 80% of the company's U.S. Gourmet herbs and spices business will be organic and non-GMO by 2016. Also, more than 70% of all McCormick branded herbs, spices, and extracts in the U.S. will be labeled non-GMO.
- Many of McCormick's herbs and spices are non-GMO already, but a push to label non-GMO and organic products will boost transparency for the brand.
Dive Insight:
Non-GMO products have been on the rise across the world, particularly in the U.S., which sees about 2,000 non-GMO product launches per year alone. As more consumers look for natural, healthy, and free-from foods, non-GMO becomes an important distinction for companies and products.
Many companies' products are already non-GMO but just have not gone through the non-GMO certification and labeling process. However, more food and beverage companies, like McCormick, are seeing the value in promoting the non-GMO aspect of their products.
And when better to capitalize on consumer trends for herbs and spices than just before the holidays?
"The announcement comes ahead of the peak fall cooking and holiday season where consumer usage of herbs, spices & extracts as key ingredients in recipe favorites increase," according to the news release.