What are the consequences of the new Organic Regulation?

The year 2022 announces a regulatory change in the world of organic flavors, and at Robertet, our teams are delighted with this news! Since the release of the new European Organic Regulation No. 2018/848, Robertet's organic formulas have integrated these changes in advance.

This new organic regulation specifies certain points and, for the first time, certified organic flavors are defined at the European level. "The definition of organic flavourings adopted at European level is inspired by the one used in France since 2011. Over the years, Robertet's teams have developed particular expertise in this field, in terms of sourcing raw materials, creating adapted extracts, formulating and providing regulatory support. We are ready to meet this demand," says Nadine Babarit, Head of Regulatory Affairs for the flavor division.

What changes does this regulation bring for the formulation of organic flavors?

The first change occurs at the level of the composition of an organic food product, from now on, only the "natural X flavourings" (organic or not organic) are authorized in a certified organic food product. The flavouring part of the "natural X flavourings" must be composed of at least 95% of the natural ingredient from which the flavor is derived. Let's take the example of strawberry; in order to be able to call a strawberry flavor "natural strawberry flavourings" its flavouring part must be composed of 95% of strawberry extract and for it to be considered organic, this extract will have to be made from a fruit from organic farming.?

Convinced for a long time that customers and consumers will increasingly be looking for natural and organic products, Robertet has been pursuing a strategy of developing natural solutions and certified organic flavors for the past 10 years. Thanks to our centuries-old expertise in natural ingredients, and with an innovative spirit, our teams have put their know-how to work to develop a range of natural flavors as well as their organic equivalent. A pioneer in the market, Robertet has been offering a range of 95/5 flavors for the past 10 years, with 95% natural and organic extracts in their compositions.

Second point covered by this new regulation: the quantity of flavors, now it counts! Indeed, now the flavors are considered as ingredients of agricultural origin.

For a food product to be considered organic, it must contain at least 95% organic ingredients, just like natural flavors: a golden opportunity for Robertet, a pioneer in natural solutions! Our customers will now be able to count natural and organic food flavors in their 95/5 calculation of ingredients of organic agricultural origin.

"The new restriction to only "natural flavurings of X" (known as 95/5) is an important change for our customers. Numerous reformulations have been necessary for our customers, leading to a high demand for this category of flavors. And the fact that flavors are now taken into account in the calculation of the organic percentage of the final product forces some customers to switch to certified organic natural flavors. This is particularly the case for teas and infusions, and flavored waters.” Nadine Babarit

A passionate creative team: the key to emotion

Our creative and R&D teams take up daily challenges based on the demands of our customers and the development of our activity. The creation of natural organic flavors has been a major part of our teams' work for several years now, and it is with ever greater passion that they innovate to create natural, responsible flavors that comply with the regulations in force.

Robertet has always worked closely with nature, and this is part of our DNA. As sourcing experts, we work with agricultural producers who are just as passionate about nature, and this symbiosis of know-how enables us to obtain natural extracts with an exceptional organoleptic profile. Supported by our production experts, the development teams seek to optimize extractions, increase yields and all this with green chemistry processes in order not to alter the natural properties of the fruit. The creation of organic flavors goes far beyond certifications and regulatory constraints, it is a journey from seed to flavor involving producers, consumers and creators. "For our experts, creation is first and foremost about listening to and anticipating consumer needs in order to meet their requirements." Gwen Cras, Deputy Director of the Flavor Division.

Beyond a regulatory vision, our teams work mainly on the aromatic profile and its associated emotion.?Our flavorists create organic flavors that take you back to the fields, where it all begins. It is all the work initiated for years by the creation team, which allows us today to have the most accurate and authentic vision of the natural emotion generated by an organic aroma. According to Gwen Cras: "an organic flavor guarantees you a unique and authentic taste, the one that gives you the impression of having the fresh fruit on your palate, the one that gives you a natural emotion, an organic emotion".

Robertet, a long-term actor in the organic sector

Today, food is one of the levers on which people can act to minimize their environmental footprint. Consumers are examining the compositions and are choosing healthier foods for themselves and for the planet.?

Organic flavors are also actors in the protection of the environment, considered as agricultural ingredients, they come from the earth, an organic soil and without pesticides, confirms Honorine Riffard, in charge of marketing for flavors. These organic flavors participate fully in the major environmental challenges, inspire consumer confidence and allow us to market healthy products.

For more than 170 years, Robertet has been conducting its activities in accordance with the fundamental principles of sustainable development, such as long-term vision, the sustainability of natural resources and the valorisation of know-how. We are constantly developing our creative and industrial processes in order to provide more natural products, and perhaps we are on the very beginning of fundamental changes for our consumption behaviour.