The rise of organic food: health and environmental benefits
Body care and healthy eating have been growing trends in recent years. According to the Brazilian Organic Promotion Association (Organis), consumption of these products increased by 44.5% during the first seven months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Another supporting data point comes from the Brazilian Supermarket Association (Abras). According to its study, 36% of consumers began including foods and beverages they considered beneficial to the immune system in their diets.
A Shift in Mindset
According to Lilia Kawazoe, Commercial Manager at Concepta Ingredients, a business unit of Sabará Group that offers the food industry a range of ingredients focused on natural, organic, sustainable, and traceable products, there was a time when consumers did not place enough importance on the cultivation and harvesting of the raw materials used to make finished products.
Today, however, consumers value risk management, good social and sustainable practices, and products that promote health and well-being. “People are more aware, seek information, and are concerned about issues such as product origin, credibility, quality certifications, and guarantees of origin,” she comments.
Focus on the Environment
Environmental concerns are another factor helping to explain the increase in organic food consumption in recent years. In addition to benefiting health, organic production helps protect the environment, as it relies on practices that benefit local ecosystems without the use of genetically modified organisms or synthetic chemicals. It also supports the protection of workers’ rights, the preservation of natural resources, and respect for the socioeconomic and cultural characteristics of local communities.
“Today’s consumers care about the environment and seek out products and companies that contribute to a better world through initiatives such as reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and carbon emissions, avoiding animal testing and cruelty, adopting recycling practices, and working directly with small rural communities and communities in remote areas where biodiversity is found.”
Behind Biodiversity-Based Ingredients
With a portfolio of more than 100 ingredients for the food and beverage markets, Concepta Ingredients has spent years building a track record of delivering innovative and sustainable products while ensuring traceability, health benefits, texture, and flavor, creating value for customers, suppliers, communities, employees, and shareholders.
The Organic and Exotic Ingredients line comprises biodiversity-derived ingredients, such as Organic Brazil Nut Oil, Organic Virgin Coconut Oil, Organic Cupuaçu Butter, Licuri Oil, Organic Açaí Oil, Organic Açaí Powder, Organic Açaí Syrup, Organic Açaí Extract, Organic Toasted Babaçu Oil, Passion Fruit Oil, Organic Sacha Inchi Oil, and Organic Patauá Oil.
“Each of these products is the result of multiple projects built around sustainable principles, with a shared commitment to protecting forests and supporting the development of local communities,” Kawazoe adds.
About Sabará Group
With more than 65 years of history, Sabará Group is a truly Brazilian company recognized for its ability to innovate and adapt. For three generations, the Group has overcome challenges and established itself in the markets where it operates. Its commitment to the well-being of people around the world goes beyond offering innovative products and services. The Group’s activities take future generations into account, focusing on solutions that ensure sustainability.
Through its various business segments, Sabará Group operates throughout Brazil and maintains a presence in countries across South America, North America, and Europe.
It specializes in developing high-performance technologies, solutions, and raw materials for water treatment in the sanitation and industrial sectors, animal nutrition and health, and the food and beverage industries.
Its products are developed using 100% Brazilian expertise and technology, helping establish Brazil as a benchmark in product research aimed at building a sustainable world.
