Funding: ERA-net CORE Organic Cofund, European Union
Coordinator: CREA - Council for Agricultural Research and Agronomical Analysis (Consiglio per la ricerca in agricoltura e l'analisi dell'economia agrarian), Italy
Time period: May 2018 - May 2021
Selecting the best processing methods
Today there is a lack of mandatory standards and indications for organic food processing within the EU.
The organic food market is rapidly growing and the organic food industry needs to develop and innovate to keep the pace. EC legislation regulates the use of food additives and processing aids. However, regulatory standards for organic food processing are lacking, as well as specifications that guide processors in the evaluation and selection of appropriate technologies and innovations in line with organic principles.
ProOrg will develop a set of strategies and tools (Code of Practice) that can help organic food processors in the selection of appropriate technologies. It will give guidance for making the best choice for careful, minimal and mild processing methods
ProOg provides an opportunity to further advance organic food processing and it supports the development of new production methods. All this contributes to the enhancement of the competitiveness of the organic food industry, while ensuring excellent quality foods for consumers, decreasing the use of additives and processing aids and reducing the environmental load as well.
To develop a practical and flexible codex for organic food processors and certifying bodies. To apply a participation-based approach, involving operators or various scientific disciplines. To elaborate a multidimensional evaluation framework for organic food processing. To test the Code of Practice in real-world situations and settings. To assess the various preferences and the acceptance of organic foods by conducting qualitative and quantitative consumer surveys.The goals of ProOrg are:
