At Erbacher Food Intelligence, we have taken another step towards more sustainable product development. In addition to our existing EU organic certification, we are now also certified according to the Naturland standards – opening up new opportunities for our partners across the food industry.

While the EU organic standard has long been firmly established, many companies and consumers are increasingly looking beyond the baseline requirements. Certifications with stricter criteria are gaining importance, and Naturland is one of the most recognised among them. The association stands not only for organic farming, credibility and transparency, but also for social responsibility throughout the entire supply chain.

For brand manufacturers, processors and retailers alike, the Naturland partnership can therefore become an important building block when bringing credible, sustainable product concepts to market.

Expectations surrounding food products continue to evolve. Consumers are paying closer attention to how products are manufactured, where raw materials originate and under which conditions they are processed.

Organic certification remains a key benchmark in this context. At the same time, however, interest is growing in standards that go beyond the minimum regulatory requirements – and this is precisely where Naturland comes into play.

In several areas, the Naturland certification sets stricter criteria than the EU organic standard. For instance, it permits fewer additives, flavourings and processing aids. At the same time, social responsibility is a central element of the guidelines, with fair working conditions and responsible supply chains forming an integral part of the certification.

For companies in the food industry, products carrying the Naturland logo therefore send a clear signal: they stand for quality, sustainability and transparency.

For brands and retailers, credibility is increasingly becoming a decisive competitive factor. Certifications such as Naturland help make complex production processes more transparent and easier for consumers to understand.

This creates several advantages at once: stronger consumer trust, clearer positioning within the organic segment and additional differentiation in a competitive market environment. At the same time, Naturland provides companies with a credible framework for visibly implementing their sustainability strategies.

For manufacturers looking to position their products in the premium segment, Naturland can therefore represent a particularly attractive option.

A central element of Naturland certification is the comprehensive control of the entire supply chain. Only Naturland-certified raw materials from certified suppliers may be used for products carrying the Naturland logo. In addition, every participant along the supply chain – from the raw material supplier to the processing company – must also hold the relevant certification.

As part of the certification process, we have also adapted our internal processes at Erbacher Food Intelligence. This includes expanded approval procedures for both raw materials and suppliers, adjustments to incoming goods inspections and detailed documentation of goods receipt and dispatch.

In parallel, we conducted training sessions across several departments, including purchasing, product development, quality management, quality assurance, production, sales and marketing.

Compliance with the Naturland guidelines will be monitored regularly through internal and are subject to mandatory external audits once a year. Supplier audits are also an integral part of this system.

For many of our partners, the most tangible benefit of Naturland certification lies in product development. As a contract manufacturer for a wide range of applications – including cereals, snacks, ingredients and plant-based protein products – we are expanding our portfolio with yet another recognised quality standard.

And of course, these standards can also be combined.

This makes it possible, for example, to develop organic crispies with elevated protein content, gluten-free cereals or plant-based protein textures that also comply with halal or kosher requirements – and that is only the beginning.

Interested in learning more? Get in touch with us – we would be happy to explore how Naturland certification can support your next product development project.