Natural Products Expo East 2015

Education & Events 

September 16–19, 2015

Trade Show

September 17–19, 2015

Location

Baltimore Convention Center, MD USA

It's one of the most important occasions of the year for natural products. The "natural" here is legit and that term cannot be used loosely anymore. The Natural Products Expo East show is striving for supporting the increase of organic, non GMO (genetically modified organisms) and sustainable industry! Manufacturers, distributors, brokers, retailers, suppliers, services, speakers, leaders and agents of change connect to uplift the natural industry to continue it's acceleration into overtaking the new mainstream way of living. Why? Because most produce in the grocery store is GMO and the packaged goods also use a lot of low quality ingredients :( 

Celiac Disease Representation

I attend with an eye out and ear for the Celiac Disease safe food. Who is striving for legit safe gluten free certified food or 3rd party batch tested gluten free food for those with Celiac Disease consumers? Or who is only claiming no gluten ingredients which is NOT safe for those with Celiac Disease due to cross contamination risks. That's why the gluten free FDA claims need to be tweaked to be sure we only have one standard definition #OneGFStandard of what is gluten free and what is reduced gluten and how different and risky those truly are. 

It's a joyous and exhilarating week of events for trade professionals to conduct business.  Some attend as exhibitors setting up magnificent booth space and bringing staff to launch and sample new products with improved taste, nutrition and packaging.  

Many others attend to educate by presenting, listening and interacting in lectures. Even if you don't attend those learning sessions, we're all in this together to innovative and conduct natural business smarter and to reach consumers who adhere to the same natural mission. For me, it's also important to evade the powers of those who obstruct natural and organic missions, such as Monsanto. M monsanto spends many many millions of dollars at a time to lobby with politicians and suppress the natural movement and the right to know if GMOs are in our food. They're actually fighting against this! Shouldn't we have the ability to choose between GMO (food made from changing the genetics) vs non man made genetic food? I think we can all agree we should have the right to know!

Is The FDA Gluten Free Definition 

Making Progress Or Diminishing?

Gluten Free according to the FDA and everyone with a legit gluten-free health related concern has only one definition. But the problem is not every brand or trade professional has it on their radar. They may not actually identify with the FDA's long and confusing language. Gluten Free is simply defined below which requires transparency, accountability and trust: 

(1) No Gluten Ingredients 

(no gluten sources from suppliers like farms, therefore testing for gluten)

AND

(2) No Gluten Cross Contamination 

(in any kitchen, restaurant, your home or a family/friend who cooks)

AND

(3) Reduced Gluten = Not Gluten Free 

(knowingly choosing medium to high risks is not a commitment to gluten free)

My Expo East 2015 Objectives

• Has the marketplace listened to the voice of the people (gluten free leaders such as us bloggers) who demand transparency and seek to trust brands following the FDA guidelines carefully with proof of their testing protocols. 
• Is the mainstream gluten free consumer being targeted over those with Celiac Disease and other gluten related illnesses. Hence the continuation of contaminated gluten free food which is actually just gluten reduced. Two very different situations that get some gluten free people ill.
• Are certifying gluten free organizations growing, improving and providing leadership in new ways? What are they focussing on and are they expanding even more internationally?
• New products in new categories may pop up that nobody thought of before and will they stick?
• Can gluten free brands innovate with tasty and nutrient dense ingredients, and snazzy packaging to extend pass the early adopters, but into the mainstream?
• How are brands changing their gluten free identities and are they increasing their internal gluten free education from within their organizations; more or less transparency ? Brands like General Mills Cheerios are not being gluten free certified by 3rd party organizations causing the market to be mixed on trusting their internal reports.

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