VEG products, a revolution of value

The phenomenon of vegetarian and vegan products is growing globally and signals significant trends in the markets and in the social and cultural sphere. One of the most significant changes is the continuous approach to veg products also by consumers who have not chosen a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle, a large public that now recognizes a value in these products under different aspects in the health, ethical and qualitative fields. A recent Mintel research on international markets finds that in the last year (July 2017 - June 2018) 11% of all food and beverage products launched on the markets were vegetarian and 5% vegan, the latter almost tripled in the last five years with a growth of +175% .
"For almost 70 years, the Italian Vegetarian Association, together with other associations, has been carrying out a profound cultural work - declared the President of AVI Carmen Nicchi - which has finally managed to complete its first great objective: to bring out the veg diet in its right dimension of a quality diet: ethical, good and healthy".

In this context , Italy is no exception, where there is renewed attention from consumers and companies to traditional recipes and veg products belonging to the Mediterranean diet. In our country, vegetarians and vegans represent about 8% of the population and, according to an analysis on the Tripadvisor portal, they can count respectively on an offer from 53,000 and 39,000 restaurants with dedicated menus (Eurispes Report 2018).
AVI and CSQA Certificazioni will be present at Sana 2018 in Bologna to tell how they have supported the success of Italian companies in the sector in markets all over the world. The V-Label brand - granted by the AVI through documentary evaluation and possible CSQA audits - has recorded exponential growth in the last three years: +130% of products in Italy , +50% in Europe with over 2000 companies involved and a presence on all 5 continents .
Sophia Somaschi , representative of V-Label Italia, underlines how increasingly foreign markets are asking Italian companies to adopt the brand, now recognized and credible on an international level.
“The synergy with AVI and V-Label Italia - underlined Maria Chiara Ferrarese Deputy Director and R&D Executive Manager of CSQA - has helped Italian food companies to enter the veg product market through an effective system of guarantee, enhancement and identification of products on international markets, for informed choices by the consumer.

For further information: Press Office - Geronimo Nerli - Comunicazione@csqa.it - +393394835634