NPA To Take The Lead In Providing Concrete Definitions Of “Natural” Food Products

Unlike the term “organic,” “natural” foods lack an authoritative definition that consumers, retailers and manufacturers can look to when applying that term to products. Stepping in to fill the void is the Natural Products Association, which is expected to begin unveiling more tangible definitions of natural food products sometime in 2012. The NPA issued such a definition and seal for natural home care products in 2008. Six food categories have been targeted by the organization, and two – snacks and cereals, meat and poultry – will have definitions and seals next year, according to reports. Some observers feel the FDA should take the lead in the call for a definition of natural, but the agency hasn’t shown any indication it will.