The use of the term ‘natural’ as it applies to food has been the result of a great deal of controversy. Many ‘natural’ claims have been litigated over the years over the inclusion of foods containing genetically modified foods or manufacturing processes of foods (i.e. converting corn starch to sweetener).

There have been several petitions to the FDA asking for clarification of what can be claimed as ‘natural’ on a food label. Presently, FDA’s policy states that ‘natural’ means foods that are composed only of substances that are not manmade and that nothing artificial or synthetic has been included. Petitions vary widely. For instance, one petition requests a prohibition for using the term ‘natural’. Another asks for a determination on whether genetic engineered foods or foods containing HFCS can be considered natural.

The request for comments asks:

• Should the FDA define the term ‘natural?
• Should the FDA prohibit the use of the term ‘natural’?
• What types of foods should be allowed to be called ‘natural’?
• Do consumers confuse the term ‘natural’ with ‘organic’ or ‘healthy’?
• Should the food manufacturing process be considered?
• Are there public health benefits in defining the term ‘natural’ in foods?

Golden Growers does not believe the manufacturing process should be considered in the definition. We also think that prohibiting the use of genetically modified foods will result on only organic foods to achieve the label of natural.

If you would like to submit a comment, click on the following link and follow directions to post comments.

FDA Requests Comments on the Use of the Term ‘Natural’ in Food Labeling

At their June 18th meeting, the Golden Growers Board of Directors approved a distribution of $3,408,900, or $0.22/bushel delivered in 2014, to members of record as of June 1, 2015.  Combined with the February distribution, 84% of  2014 allocated income has been retired.  The remaining equity credit balance is $1,295,004 or $0.0836/bushel delivered in 2014.

To date, Golden Growers has issued payments to members totaling $76,648,051.  This represents 142% of members’ original equity investment in the ProGold plant.

Dan Peterson of e4 Brokerage, LLC met with the GGC Board of Directors at their June meeting to discuss Nationwide Financial’s ‘Land As Your Legacy’ planning program.  “In the next 20 years, 70% of farming operations will transfer form one generation to the next.  In order to preserve the farm for the next generation, planning is critical,” said Peterson.

Nationwide Mutual Insurance is one of the largest insurers of farming operations in the country and 10 of their 16 Board Members are farmers.   Their ‘transitional’ planning program was driven by an interest to preserve a family’s farming legacy.

Elements of a successful transitional plan include:

• Succession planning;
• Business planning;
• Risk management;
• Financial independence planning; and
• Estate planning.

“This transition program takes a very deliberate approach,” said Peterson.  It starts with goal setting and data collection.  It proceeds  in a manner to ‘let the farm speak’ about what is necessary for a successful transition.  One of the most important elements is the family meeting exercise.  “All too often, a transition plan fails because interested family members never talk directly about how a transition will take place.”

Nationwide Mutual does not charge for the development of the plan.

If you would like to learn about successful transition planning visit this program link ‘Land as Your Legacy‘ and/or contact Dan Peterson at dpeterson@e4brokerage.com.