Spectrum Organic Products Applauds New Organic Standards

Business Wire, Dec 22, 2000

Business Editors/Food Writers

PETALUMA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 22, 2000

Spectrum Organic Products, Inc. (Nasdaq:SPOP) and the Organic Trade Association (OTA) said today that national organic standards recently finalized by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will strengthen consumer confidence in U.S. organic products both domestically and internationally.

Spectrum and its industrial ingredient division, Organic Ingredients, Inc., have played pioneering roles in the evolution of organic standards for the U.S. "Spectrum took a leadership role in overseeing OTA's Manufacturing, Processing and Labeling Standards Committee for the Vegetable Oils Product Category," said Neil Blomquist, president of Spectrum's Branded Division. "This was a necessary step in reaching consensus among the marketers and producers of organic products. Having organic standards in place will facilitate and expand the marketing of our branded products."

Organic refers to the way agricultural products are grown and processed. A vital part of U.S. agriculture, organic production is based on a system of farming that maintains and replenishes soil fertility without the use of toxic and persistent pesticides and fertilizers. Organic product sales have grown at least 20 percent each year since 1990, resulting in an estimated $7.76 billion in retail sales during 2000.

"For the first time, there will be consistent standards and labeling for all organic products marketed in the United States. No longer will there be questions concerning what 'organic' stands for, or whether the process has been certified," said Katherine DiMatteo, OTA's executive director.

National organic standards will protect the integrity of the organic guarantee, and prohibit the use of irradiation, sewage sludge, or genetic engineering in anything labeled organic. Joseph Stern, president of Organic Ingredients commented, "Just as our company has been a leading supplier of organic and non-GMO fruit, vegetable and oil based ingredients, we have also taken a leadership role in helping to shape the new standards as it pertains to processing aids, allowable substances and minor ingredients." He added, "Our roots go back into the early 1970s, and it is truly a sign of the industry's maturation that this standard is now in place. We are proud to have been part of this evolution within our industry, and we are most happy for the benefits this brings to consumers and the health of our planet."

Spectrum is a publicly traded corporation on the Nasdaq under SPOP. "Safe Harbor" Statements under the Private Securities Act of 1995: The statements contained in this release, which are not historical facts, are forward-looking statements that are subject to risk and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth or implied by the forward-looking statements. These risks are described in Spectrum Organic Products, Inc. Securities and Exchange Commission filings.

For more information, go to http://www.organic-ingredients.com, or http://www.spectrumorganic.com.