Natural and Organic Private Label Product
Quality Standards Guidelines
200 Fourth Street
Oakland, California 94607
(510) 893-7300
Cost Plus World Market is pleased to announce the launch of our new World Market brand of natural and organic food products. As with
our existing line of products, our buyers will be searching the world for best of class vendors to produce our exceptional products.
This guide is intended to provide you, our valued producers, with an understanding of Cost Plus World Market’s natural and organic
ingredient standards. If you have any questions about the content of this guide, please contact the Merchandise Operations Manager for
Consumables by e-mail at [email protected].
Definitions of Organic
The following definitions are provided in the USDA NOP (National Organic Program) and more information is available at the USDA website under section § 205.303
Product Composition http://www.ams.usda.gov/nop/NOP/standards/LabelReg.html
a) Products sold, labeled, or represented as "100 percent organic." A raw or processed agricultural product sold, labeled, or represented as "100 percent organic" must
contain (by weight or fluid volume, excluding water and salt) 100 percent organically produced ingredients. If labeled as organically produced, such product must be labeled
pursuant to § 205.303.
(b) Products sold, labeled, or represented as "organic." A raw or processed agricultural product sold, labeled, or represented as "organic" must contain (by weight or fluid
volume, excluding water and salt) not less than 95 percent organically produced raw or processed agricultural products. Any remaining product ingredients must be
organically produced, unless not commercially available in organic form, or must be nonagricultural substances or nonorganically produced agricultural products produced
consistent with the National List in subpart G of this part. If labeled as organically produced, such product must be labeled pursuant to § 205.303.
(c) Products sold, labeled, or represented as "made with organic (specified ingredients or food group(s))." Multiingredient agricultural product sold, labeled, or represented as
"made with organic (specified ingredients or food group(s))" must contain (by weight or fluid volume, excluding water and salt) at least 70 percent organically produced
ingredients which are produced and handled pursuant to requirements in subpart C of this part. No ingredients may be produced using prohibited practices specified in
paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) of § 205.301(f). Nonorganic ingredients may be produced without regard to paragraphs (4), (5), (6), and (7) of § 205.301(f). If labeled as
containing organically produced ingredients or food groups, such product must be labeled pursuant to § 205.304.
(d) Products with less than 70 percent organically produced ingredients. The organic ingredients in multiingredient agricultural product containing less than 70 percent
organically produced ingredients (by weight or fluid volume, excluding water and salt) must be produced and handled pursuant to requirements in subpart C of this part. The
nonorganic ingredients may be produced and handled without regard to the requirements of this part. Multiingredient agricultural product containing less than 70 percent
organically produced ingredients may represent the organic nature of the product only as provided in § 205.305.
Definition of All Natural
Natural foods are those that contain no artificial coloring, flavorings, preservatives or additives, and have been processed with nonsynthetic or non-chemical methods. Acceptable methods of processing include extraction with natural solvents, enzyme treatment,
hydrolysis, roasting and fermentation.
Genetically Engineered Foods
CPWM prefers that our World Market brand of All Natural and Organic food products be produced from ingredients that have not been
genetically modified, including those from GMO stock. This includes, but is not limited to, oils derived from seeds such as canola, rice,
wheat and soy, as well as sweeteners such as beet sugar.
September 1, 2006
Page 1 of 5 Pages
Natural and Organic Private Label Product
Quality Standards Guidelines
200 Fourth Street
Oakland, California 94607
(510) 893-7300
Guide to Genetically Modified Foods (GMO)
Ingredients derived from GMO's are not acceptable
Oils derived from genetically modified seeds
Sweeteners derived from genetically modified ingredients
Guide to Preservatives
Unacceptable Preservatives
Notes
Aluminum potassium sulfate/Aluminum sulfate (alum)
Benzoates
BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole)
BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene)
Calcium proprionate
Calcium sorbate
dl Alpha Tocopherol
EDTA (Ethylenediamine Tetraacetic Acid)
Erythorbic Acid
Irradiation
Nitrates/nitrites
Parabens
Potassium benzoate
Potassium bisulfite, metabisulfite
Potassium bormate
Potassium sorbate
Propionates (calcium, sodium)
Propyl gallate
Sodium diacetate
Sodium stearoyl-2-lactylate
Sorbic Acid
Sulfites
Stannous chloride
Sulfur dioxide
TBHQ (tertiary butylhydroquinone)
Guide to Colors
Unacceptable Colors
Artificial colors
Astaxanthin
Bentonite
Canthaxanthin
Carmine
Certified colors / FD&C colors
Cochineal
Ferrous glutamate
Tartrazine
Titanium dioxide
Notes
FD&C color Yellow #5
Additional Disclosure Required
Spices
Beta-Carotene
Caramel color
Extracts
September 1, 2006
Complete list of ingredients in the spice blend and documentation of sterilization
method required.
Must be from natural (non-synthetic) source.
Class I only (sulfate and ammonia processes unacceptable)
Alcohol, CO2 and steam distribution are approved methods.
Page 2 of 5 Pages
Natural and Organic Private Label Product
Quality Standards Guidelines
200 Fourth Street
Oakland, California 94607
(510) 893-7300
Guide to Thickeners/Gelling Agents/Stabilizers
Unacceptable Thickeners/Gelling Agents/Stabilizers
Dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate
Hydroxypropyl guar gum
Modified alginates
Additional Disclosure Required
Ester gums
Gelatin
Modified gums (Cellulose, Methyl cellulose, Microcrystalline
cellulose starch
(MCC),(Modified
Hydroxypropyl
gar gum,
Hydroxypropyl
Modified
corn Starch,
Modified
tapioca
starch)
Vegetable gums
Steam distillation is acceptable.
Acceptable as a product, restricted as an ingredient; labeling must indicate that the
product contains
animal
ingredients.
Kosherchemical
concerns.proceses. Native gums (such as
Modified
gums are
produced
using synthetic
gar, and alginate)
are okay. not chemically, modified. (Must be listed on the label as
Acceptable
only if physically,
potato,
tapioca,
wheat
or corn starch
if starch
in the
"native" methods.
form).
Additional
disclosure
required,
including
sourceisand
processing
Guide to Flavorings
Unacceptable Flavorings
Notes
Artificial Flavors
Disodium guanylate
Disodium inositate
Propylene glycol
Benzyl alcohol
Monosodium glutamate (MSG)
Vanillin
Used as a carrier for many natural flavors
A "nature identical flavoring". Not allowed.
Additional Disclosure Required
All Natural Flavorings
Must provide specification sheet or complete list of non-flavoring ingredients contained
in the flavoring including whether proteins are present from any of the top 16 potential
allergens. (We do not require actual flavor chemical listings).
Succinic acid
Commercially prepared from the hydrogenation of malic or fumaric acid. Evaporation
fermentation can be considered as 'natural' with additional disclosure.
Oleoresins
Usually extracted with unacceptable solvents. Those extracted with supercritical carbon
dioxide are acceptable.
Spices
Maltol
Malic Acid
Disclose sterilization treatment method. Irradiation of spices is unacceptable.
Acceptable if isolated from natural sources. Specification sheets required.
Natural malic acid is the I-form only. Acceptable if derived from the enzymatic
conversion process.
Guide to Sweeteners
Unacceptable sweeteners
Notes
Acesulfame K/Acesulfame Potassium
Aspartame (Nutrasweet®, Equal®)
Cyclamates
Hydrogenated starch hydrolysate (HSH)
Neotame
Saccharin (Sweet & Low®)
Stevia/stevioside
FDA has not authorized approval for foods at this time.
An artificial sweetener approved by the FDA in April 1998 that is 600 times sweeter
than sugar but is not recognized by the body's enzymes and therefore is not digested.
Is a synthetic sugar derivative.
A GMO ingredient, not acceptable
Sucralose (Splenda®)
High fructose corn syrup (HFCS)
Additional Disclosure Required
Turbanado
Sugar Alcohols (lactitol, maltitol, mannitol, sorbitol, xylitol,
erythritol)
Honey
September 1, 2006
Food grade only.
Not natural due to hydrogenation in processing. Erythritol is a natural alternative
derived by a fermentation process.
Country of origin required.
Page 3 of 5 Pages
Natural and Organic Private Label Product
Quality Standards Guidelines
200 Fourth Street
Oakland, California 94607
(510) 893-7300
Guide to Allergens
The FDA believes there is scientific consensus that the following foods can cause serious allergic reactions in some individuals and
account for more than 90% of all food allergies.
Top 8 FDA Class I Recall Allergens:
Peanuts
Soybeans
Milk proteins (casein)
Eggs
Fish
Crustacea
Tree nuts (almonds, walnuts, pecans, cashews, hazelnuts,
pine nuts)
FDA Class II Recall Allergens:
Wheat
Next Top 8 Allergens:
Sesame seeds
Sunflower seeds
Cottonseed meal
Poppy seed
Mollusks
Beans
Peas
Lentils
If your product contains proteins from any of the above known allergens in primary or sub-ingredients, it must be labeled in such a
way that it is clear to the customer. See FDA guidelines in the Vendor guide.
Guide to Emulsifiers
Unacceptable Emulsifiers
Notes
Glycerides (mono- and- di-glycerides)
Monoglycerides allowed in organic food processing of drum-dried fruits and vegetables
only as on the NOSB's National List.
Polysorbates (60- and 80-) (polyoxylene sorbitan fatty acid
esters)
Datem (diacetyl tartaric acid)
Sodium lauryl sulfate
Guide to Fats, Oils and Fat Substitutes
Unacceptable Fats, Oils and Fat Substitutes
Brominated Vegetable Oil
Cottonseed oil
Hydrogenated/partially hydrogenated oil
Lard
Margarine
Typically this oil contains pesticide residues. Cotton is one of the highest chemically
sprayedin
crops
in the US.
Results
production
of trans fatty acids or trans fats
Animal derived and Very high in saturated fat
Olestra® (Olean®)
Oxystearin
Polydextrose
Shortening
Simplesse®
Sucrose Polyester
Tallow
Additional Disclosure Required
Fractionated oils
Vegetable oils
Olive oil
September 1, 2006
Only acceptable when fractionated with steam distillation.
FDA regulations specify that the oil source (olive oil, sunflower oil, canola oil) be named.
Extraction process and GE status.
Process restrictions apply to olive oil classified as 'pure'. Extra virgin and virgin olive
oils are acceptable.
Page 4 of 5 Pages
Natural and Organic Private Label Product
Quality Standards Guidelines
200 Fourth Street
Oakland, California 94607
(510) 893-7300
Guide to Miscellaneous Additives
Unacceptable Miscellaneous Additives
Aluminum ammonium sulfate
Aluminum calcium silicate
Antibiotics
Azodicarbonamide
Bleached Flour
Bromated flour, calcium, potassium
Calcium peroxide
Glycerol ester of wood rosin
Irradiation
Methylene chloride
Potassium benzoate
Potassium hydroxide
Propylene oxide
rBHG/rBST
Sodium aluminum sulfate
Sodium ferrocyanide
Sodium silico aluminate
Sodium sterol lactylate
Triacetin/glyceryl triacetate
Tryptophan
Additional Disclosure Required
Ethanol, ethyl alcohol
Maltodextrin
September 1, 2006
Acceptable when used as a solvent in natural flavors. Alcohol used must be labeled if
above 0.5% in food and beverages and must be naturally derived. Listed by National
Organic Standards Board as a non-organic ingredient allowed in certified organic
products. Acceptable as disinfectant.
Non GE preferred. Enzymatic process only.
Page 5 of 5 Pages