Upcycled ingredients offer sustainable solutions to food waste
Upcycled food—made from ingredients diverted from waste—offers a promising solution to global food waste and environmental harm. Common examples include spent grains from beer or misshapen produce like wonky carrots. While the U.S. has a certification standard requiring only 10% upcycled content by weight for a product to be labeled “upcycled,” these pale in comparison to the 95% threshold for organic labeling. In the EU, there are currently no upcycling regulations or certifications, raising concerns about transparency. Some products, like granola or bread, include small amounts of upcycled ingredients but may still carry a premium price, driven by production costs from small startups. Without clear labeling or lifecycle assessments, consumers may be misled into thinking a product is more sustainable than it truly is. For upcycled foods to gain wider acceptance and reduce waste meaningfully, trust, clarity, and regulation are essential to ensure consumer confidence and environmental credibility. Learn more about this trend.
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