Bad Food Additives

Australian co. sets a new standard in openness & transparency.

Sunday, 08 March 2009 13:15

Beerenberg's new website allows consumers to trace the origin of the main ingredients in their products.

In what is thought to be a world first, Australian company, Beerenberg, allows consumers to trace the main ingredients in their products from origin through to manufacture.

Using Beerenberg's new website, comsumers can enter the last six digits from the barcode on the product to trace the origin of each product's main ingredient, when it was made and even the name of the cook.

The new system is called the  "Provenance Pathway™".

According to Beerenberg, the decision to introduce this new system was made because "People ask more questions now before they make decisions about what they will buy.  They want to know where it comes from, what’s in it, who’s involved in making it and how it was produced."

As consumers we are increasing becoming more aware and concerned about the ingredients in the products we purchase. It is heartening to see a company treating this as an opportunity rather than as a hinderance to business.

All Beerenberg products are listed on their website with a full list of ingredients, nutritional information, packaging info and product details. Infact, you will find more information on Orange and Poppyseed Marmalade than most car manufactures provide in new model Tech sheets!

This post isn't about the quality of Beerenberg products - I've yet to try them but I definitely well keep an eye out for them from now on. I do applaud their actions and the transparency of their operations. In Australia, we still have many companies importing cheap ingredients from China and Indonesia, among other places, and marketing their products as "Australian Made". May Beerenberg's Provenence Pathway™ be an example to all food manufacturers big and small.

By John Pitchers - 8th March 2009