A fusion of Pure Organic Argan Oil and Pure Moroccan Rose Essential Oil, Essence of Morocco® 100% pure, natural and organic Moroccan Rose Nourishing Body Argan Oil™, RRP £31.85 for 100ml, is the perfect product to help you achieve the wellness of body and mind.

(View PDF version with images)

Moroccan Rose, known for its uplifting, stress relieving and soothing properties, is one of the most expensive and sought after Essential Oils in the world and has a delicate, exquisite and sensual aroma.

Extracted from the finest quality, non-toasted kernels of the Moroccan Argan tree, Essence of Morocco® Argan Oil is one of healthiest, anti-ageing and nourishing natural skincare products. It is rich in Vitamin E, Omega 3, 6 and 9 and squalene (a natural moisturiser).

Argan Oil nourishes, hydrates and protects the skin, slowing down skin ageing. It neutralises free radicals, improves skin elasticity and minimises the appearance of fine lines and scars. It stimulates hair growth and prevents and mends split ends, whilst giving the hair a silky glossy look, without frizz. It has anti-inflammatory properties and can help with Psoriasis, Eczema and Arthritis.

Both Argan Oil and Moroccan Rose have been used by Moroccan women for centuries for their unique skincare and healing properties.

Essence of Morocco ® Moroccan Rose Nourishing Body Argan Oil™ is non-greasy and absorbs easily in the skin leaving a delicate, irresistible sensual aroma that transports you back to the valley of the roses in the foothills of the Atlas Mountains. It is best applied after a bath or shower on slightly damp skin. The skin is left feeling nourished, hydrated, smooth and silky. It is also perfect for a luxurious, soothing and relaxing organic massage experience.

Essence of Morocco Ltd tailors its offers to trade, salons and spas, beauty professionals and fine food specialists.  For further details and information on Essence of Morocco products, including product samples and high-res photos contact: contact@esofmo.com | www.esofmo.com |Twitter:@EssenceMorocco | Facebook: www.facebook.com/EssenceOfMorocco.

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Notes to Editors

• Essence of Morocco Ltd. is a UK-based family business headed by a UK qualified Moroccan complementary and holistic therapist.
• It is the leading specialist in authentic, organic, natural and pure Moroccan beauty and spa products. All ingredients are ethically sourced.
• The Argan fruit is handpicked by local women in rural areas and sun-dried before the oil is extracted. The women are organised in a cooperative style which enables them to earn a living and educate their children.
• The packaging used for Essence of Morocco ® Nourishing Argan Oil range is 100% UV protected and air tight to preserve the high quality and freshness of the oil.
• All packaging used in Essence of Morocco ® products are recyclable.
• Essence of Morocco Ltd. have worked very hard to ensure they have regular arrivals and strive to sell the freshest products possible.

Confirming its position as the leading European show for both the natural and organic sectors (including health care, food and beauty), the significant surge in visitor numbers – which included buyers from Boots, Amazon, John Bell & Croyden, Waitrose, Ocado, NBTY Europe, Harrods, Abel & Cole, Superdrug, Planet Organic, Whole Foods Market, Tesco, Spar, Selfridges, Marks & Spencer, Asda, Fenwick, Graze, Harvey Nichols, and Feelunique.com, plus thousands of independent retailers and foodservice buyers, distributors, wholesalers and exporters – has led many exhibiting companies to rightly hail the 2013 show as its most successful ever.  And, as a result, over 50% of exhibitors have already rebooked for next year – when Natural & Organic Products Europe returns to Olympia’s Grand Hall on 13-14 April 2014.

Carol Dunning, who took over as Natural & Organic Products Europe’s event manager last year, is delighted with the phenomenal feedback the show has inspired so far: “Having just had the best attendance in the show’s 17-year history, it proves that the natural and organic industries are getting stronger and becoming more mainstream than ever before.  Consumers are showing increasing awareness of the benefits of following a natural and healthy lifestyle, and this sector is reacting to that demand.  We had a record number of innovative launches this year and the hall was packed with knowledge-aware retailers and buyers – I must say I’m excited about the future for this hardworking industry!”

Exhibitor Angela Walker, sales director at Viridian Nutrition, was equally upbeat in praising the “fantastic energy” at this year’s show.  Whilst Martin Greaves, sales director at Natupharma UK commented:  “I have been in the industry for 15 years and this is the best trade show I have ever done!”

“We’ve developed more leads at Natural & Organic Products Europe 2013 than 4 days spent at Biofach!” said Natracare’s Sophie Ottoway.  “We have met buyers from health stores, pharmacies and have developed international contacts from UK to Pakistan and Eastern Europe to Scandinavia. We re-booked on the first day of the show!”

“Fantastic show.  It confirmed to me just how much you need to put yourself in front of the trade,” said Soo Cieszynska, sales & managing director at Global By Nature (t/a Xynergy Health Products).  “As well as seeing 99% of our existing retail customers, I’ve got a big pile of business cards from new retailers – well over 70.  How else are you do that in 16 hours?”

“For a brand new company and first time exhibitor at the show, we have not been disappointed.  It’s been a great way for us to make that first contact with some big companies, such as Boots.  Exciting times ahead!” enthused Louise Taylor, co-founder of Purition, echoing the sentiments of many new exhibitors, such as Little Big Shot, Perkier Foods, Am-Aromatherapy Labs, Decollogne, Hodmedods, and House of Sarunds, who all left glowing testimonials about the quality of buyers that the show had attracted.

Richard Anderton, product manager at The Health Store was just one of thousands of visitors who left Natural & Organic Products Europe with a host of new business contacts:  “There is a really positive vibe this year, some great new and interesting products and it’s also been great to catch up with existing suppliers.  I’ve been coming to the show for 9 years and think it’s the best show yet!”

As ever, the show’s New Product Showcase was a hive of activity – and for the first port of call for many visiting buyers.  Featuring a record total of 297 entries for 2013, showcase visitors cast over 1200 votes for their favourites on Sunday 7 April.  The winning exhibitors were presented with their trophies by BBC wildlife presenter Michaela Strachan at the industry’s prestigious Natural and Organic Awards later that night.  This year’s winning products included Little Big Shot by Little Big Shot Energy (drink); Organic Sea Salted Dry Cured Rasher by Friland Økologi FMBA (organic food); Coyo Mango Coconut Milk Yogurt by Marigold Health Foods Limited (special diet); Rawlicious Raw Kale Chips by Inside Organics (food); Palm Leaf Retail Pack by The Wholeleaf Co (natural living & home); SOLGAR 7 by Solgar Vitamins (VMS); and Nourishing Brightener by Pukka Herbs (natural beauty & spa).

Renowned for its exceptional show content, it wasn’t just the exhibition floor that was buzzing at Natural & Organic Products Europe.  The show’s highly anticipated sessions in the Natural Food Kitchen, Natural Beauty & Spa Theatre (sponsored by Kinetic Natural Products Distributor) and Natural Products Live! were all well attended, with many enjoying standing room only crowds.  Notable highlights included top chef Raymond Blanc, who explained the provenance of his Pertwood Organic products and took the time to meet and greet many members of the audience; plus Aveda founder Horst Rechelbacher, who was revealing the philosophy behind his new Intelligent Nutrients range.

“The Natural Food Show was magnificent and very well attended,” said Blanc.  “I think more and more the consumer is looking at ethics to make their own choices.  The consumer is critical and more demanding, wanting to know what is in his food and where it comes from.  This show responds to these demands.  I had great joy participating with Pertwood at this event.”

“We’re finally realising we have to change our lifestyle, change our consumer habits and change our manufacturing habits. Time is running out,” Rechelbacher said, “Organic is one of the best economic models of the future. Consumers are realising that it is better for everyone.”

Natural & Organic Products Europe will return to Olympia, London, on 13-14 April 2014.  For further information, please visit www.naturalproducts.co.uk, or stay up-to-date with all the latest news and 2014 exhibitor information via the show’s Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Natural-Organic-Products-Europe/100622126677939) and Twitter account (http://www.twitter.com/NatProductsShow).

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Notes to Editors:

High resolution imagery is available upon request:

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Media enquiries to:
Emma-Louise Jones, PR Manager
t: +44 (0)1273 645134                              e: ejones@divcom.co.uk
http://www.divcom.co.uk
http://www.twitter.com/DiversifiedUK
https://www.facebook.com/DiversifiedUK

Exhibitor enquiries to:
Carol Dunning, Event Manager
t: +44 (0)1273 645125                              e: cdunning@divcom.co.uk
http://www.naturalproducts.co.uk
http://twitter.com/NatProductsShow
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Natural–Organic–Products–Europe/100622126677939

Diversified Business Communications UK Ltd (Diversified UK) is a fast growing trade event organiser and publisher based in Brighton, Sussex and Nailsworth, Glos.  In addition to Natural & Organic Products Europe, Diversified UK’s portfolio includes Natural Products Scandinavia; Nordic Organic Food Fair; lunch!; Casual Dining (new for 2014); camexpo; office*; SITS – The Service Desk & IT Support Show; Ocean Business; Natural Products magazine; and the Natural Beauty Yearbook.

Diversified UK is part of Diversified Business Communications, a leading international media company with a successful portfolio of sector leading exhibition, conferences, publications and websites.

Now in its eighteenth year, the annual awards brought together over 430 industry professionals to recognise and celebrate the standout brands and products of the year.  Hosted jointly by Natural Products magazine and the Soil Association, and sponsored by Fitness Pharma by Natupharma, the 2013 Awards were presented by popular TV presenter Michaela Strachan, well known for her BBC wildlife programmes Autumnwatch, Elephant Diaries, and The Really Wild Show.

“I know this is a challenging time, I know that people are having to tighten their belts.  It’s been tough on the high street over the last few years… But the good news is that many people aren’t abandoning their values,” said Strachan in her opening speech.  “More and more people care about what is in their food ­ and where it has come from; but also what they put onto and into their bodies.  I think many of us feel there is a conscious shift towards being healthy here in the UK. And people want to be reassured that that the products they’re buying aren’t costing the earth.”

“The incredible energy at this year’s show and the 100s of brilliant new products being launched on the show floor really underlines your belief that natural and organics’ time is now,” she said.

The 2013 Natural & Organic Awards attracted a wealth of high calibre entrants from all across the UK, whilst this year’s New Product Showcase awards, which were voted for by visitors to the show on Sunday 7 April, saw a record 297 entries (including organic food, food, special diet, drink, natural living & home, VMS, and natural beauty & spa categories), were voted for by visitors to the show’s New Product Showcase throughout Sunday 7 April.

“The standard of entries this year was truly exceptional, right across the board,” said Jim Manson, editor of Natural Products.  “This year’s new product awards show how creativity and innovation is thriving in our industry; while the retailer awards were tougher than ever to judge and evidence of the remarkably high standard of natural products retailing today.”

Speaking about the awards, Rob Sexton, CEO, Soil Association Certification, said:  “I was delighted to attend and present some of this year’s awards.  We know there is a strong future in the UK organic market and the Soil Association is proud to celebrate the leadership and commitment of innovators within this vibrant growing area of the organic sector.”

The winners and finalists of The Natural and Organic Awards 2013 are as follows:

BEST NEW PACKAGING DESIGN
Winner:            Perkier Foods Ltd
Finalist:            Jack & Jill Kids PTY Limited
Finalist:            Savvy Green

“We are absolutely delighted to be the winners of this year’s best new packaging design award.  As a new brand our mission is to bring delight to gluten free eating through our design, as well as our product range,” said Ann Perkins, founder of Perkier Foods Ltd, whose PERK!ER Fruity Berry Porridge Pot was also a finalist in the Best New Special Diet Product award category.

BEST INDEPENDENT RETAILER
Winner:            On the Eight Day Cooperative Ltd
Finalist:            Waterloo Body Station
Finalist:            Alexandra Worsley

BEST ORGANIC RETAILER
Winner:            Riverford
Finalist:            Field Fayre – The Organic Store
Finalist:            Waitrose

BEST ORGANIC TEXTILE PRODUCT
Winner:            People Tree, Josie Square Print Dress, Red
Finalist:            Cut4Cloth Ltd / Frugi, Birdy Bunting Sundress
Finalist:            Devon Duvets, Folding Pillow

BEST ORGANIC BEAUTY PRODUCT
Winner:            Herbfarmacy Ltd, Nail & Cuticle Oil
Finalist:            Lucy Annabella Organics, Antioxidant Aromatic Body Moisturiser with Geranium & Frankincense
Finalist:            Botanicals Ltd, Botanicals Chamomile and Mandarin Anti-ageing facial serum

BEST ORGANIC MOTHER & BABY PRODUCT
Winner:            Natura Siberica, Baby Bath Foam for Newborns
Finalist:            AMK Skin Organics, Aromatic Boob and Bump Oil
Finalist:            Neal’s Yard, Mothers Balm

BEST INNOVATION IN ORGANIC COSMETICS
Winner:            Pukka Herbs, Nourishing Brightener
Finalist:            Lucy Annabella Organics, Time Out Organic Bath Milk

“Being recognised as pioneers in innovation in the organic industry is the highest honour we can receive,” said Sebastian Pole and Tim Westwell, co-founders of Pukka Herbs, who also scooped the Best New Natural Beauty & Spa Product Award for the second year running.

THE NATURAL PRODUCTS OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Kim & Alexander Barani, co-founders of Kinetic Natural Products Distributors

BEST NEW FOOD PRODUCT
Winner:            Inside Organics Ltd, Rawlicious Raw Kale Chips
Finalist:            Papa Spice Ltd, Papa Spice Mild Fresh Chilli Sauce
Finalist:            Cofresh, Cofresh Lentil Chips

BEST NEW ORGANIC FOOD PRODUCT
Winner:            Friland Økologi FMBA, Organic Sea Salted Dry Cured Rasher
Finalist:            Mood Foods, Ombar Coco Mylk Organic Chocolate
Finalist:            The Booja Booja Company Ltd, Booja Selection Box

BEST NEW SPECIAL DIET PRODUCT
Winner:            Marigold Health Foods Ltd, Coyo Mango Coconut Milk Yogurt
Finalist:            Pulsin’, Pulsin’ Raw Sprouted Rice Protein
Finalist:            Perkier Foods Ltd, PERK!ER Fruity Berry Porridge Pot

BEST NEW DRINK PRODUCT
Winner:            Little Big Shot Energy, Little Big Shot
Finalist:            Unione Trading (UK) Ltd, ALO Allure
Finalist:            Pukka Herbs Ltd, Black Tea

“This is a tremendous accolade and, on the back of our success in San Francisco earlier this year, is a ringing endorsement of the work we’re doing.  With growing concerns about the health risks of highly caffeinated, stimulant-based energy drinks, we created Little Big Shot to offer a natural alternative to consumers with hectic, active lifestyles.  With exclusive access to Deep Ocean Minerals, which are rapidly gaining attention for their health-giving properties, Little Big Shot is a truly unique, healthy product,” said Bert Jukes, managing director of Little Big Shot.

BEST NEW NATURAL LIVING & HOME PRODUCT
Winner:            The Wholeleaf Co Ltd, Palm Leaf Retail Pack
Finalist:            Green Frog NTC Ltd, All Purpose Natural Cleaner
Finalist:            Greenscents, Greenscents Organic Creamy Polish

BEST NEW VMS PRODUCT
Winner:            Solgar Vitamins Ltd, SOLGAR 7
Finalist:            Natures Aid Ltd, Vitamin D3 Drops for Children
Finalist:            Little Big Shot Energy, Lyprinol
Finalist:            Pukka Herbs Ltd, Wheat Grass Juice/Fibre Plus Sachets

BEST NEW NATURAL BEAUTY & SPA PRODUCT
Winner:            Pukka Herbs Ltd, Nourishing Brightener
Finalist:            Essence of Morocco Ltd, Moroccan Rose Argan Oil
Finalist:            Ruby Red Cosmetics, Reviving Body Cleanser

Natural & Organic Products Europe, launched in 1997, is the UK’s biggest trade show for the natural products, health food and organic sectors.  Its 2013 edition, which closed yesterday, has been hailed as its most successful show ever.  Total attendance figures are due to be released by the organiser Diversified Business Communications UK tomorrow (Wednesday 10 April).

Natural & Organic Products Europe will return to Olympia, London, on 13-14 April 2014.  The Natural and Organic Awards 2014 will take place on 13 April 2014.  For more information, please visit www.naturalproducts.co.uk.

###

Media enquiries to:
Emma-Louise Jones, PR Manager
t: +44 (0)1273 645134                              e: ejones@divcom.co.uk
http://www.divcom.co.uk
http://www.twitter.com/DiversifiedUK
https://www.facebook.com/DiversifiedUK

Exhibitor enquiries to:
Carol Dunning, Event Manager
t: +44 (0)1273 645125                              e: cdunning@divcom.co.uk
http://www.naturalproducts.co.uk
http://twitter.com/NatProductsShow
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Natural–Organic–Products–Europe/100622126677939

Notes to Editors:

The best organic textile and best organic retail winners were selected by a panel of industry experts and professionals from a shortlist of diverse finalists.  The beauty winners – divided into Best Organic Beauty Product, Best Organic Mother and Baby Product and Best Innovation in Organic Cosmetics – were chosen after a month’s testing of shortlisted products by the public (The Soil Association).

Diversified Business Communications UK Ltd (Diversified UK) is a fast growing trade event organiser and publisher based in Brighton.  In addition to Natural & Organic Products Europe, Diversified UK’s portfolio includes Natural Products Scandinavia; Nordic Organic Food Fair; lunch!; Casual Dining (new for 2014); camexpo; office*; SITS – The Service Desk & IT Support Show; Natural Products magazine; and the Natural Beauty Yearbook.

Diversified UK is part of Diversified Business Communications, a leading international media company with a successful portfolio of sector leading exhibition, conferences, publications and websites.

With visitor pre-registration figures now over 25% ahead of this time last year, the two day trade event is poised to connect more than 8,000 health, food and beauty buyers – including representatives from major supermarkets and multiples, specialist suppliers, international wholesalers and distributors, pharmacies, leading contract caterers, salons and spas, plus hundreds of independent retail outlets – with the latest new products from some of the most innovative natural, organic, fair trade, free-from, and eco-friendly brands in the world.

This year’s show highlights include first time appearances in the Natural Food Kitchen by celebrated French chef Raymond Blanc, TV nutritionists Amanda Hamilton and Vicki Edgson, and gourmet vegetarian chef Natasha Corrett (who co-wrote the popular ‘Honestly Healthy’ alkaline cookbook with the aforementioned Edgson).  The full programme, including session details and timings, is available online at www.naturalproducts.co.uk/the-natural-food-show/visiting/show-features/natural-food-kitchen.

The new Natural Products Live! seminar programme includes sessions by Craig Sams (co-founder of Green & Black’s), Patrick Holford, Dr Marilyn Glenville, and Paul Moore (chair of the Organic Trade Board).  Session details and timings are available online at www.naturalproducts.co.uk/natural-products-live.

The Natural Beauty & Spa Theatre (sponsored by Kinetic Natural Products Distributor) features a headline Keynote by Horst Rechelbacher (founder of Aveda & Intelligent Nutrients), whilst Amarjit Sahota will be presenting key findings from Organic Monitor’s brand new report on the UK market for natural and organic personal care products, which is said to have grown by 5.5% to £202 million in 2012.  Session details and timings are available online at www.naturalproducts.co.uk/natural-beauty-theatre.

Another show feature that has already generated a wealth of visitor interest is the New Product Showcase, which currently includes over 270 entries – up 30% on last year’s total.  With many launches timed specifically to coincide with the event, attending buyers can enjoy an exclusive preview of new product developments – across the VMS, natural beauty & spa, natural living & home, food, organic food, drink, and special diet categories – before they reach their competitor’s shelves.

Always a popular destination, visitors to the showcase on Sunday 7 April will also be able to vote for their favourite new products, which will be announced later that night at the prestigious Natural & Organic Awards (hosted by Natural Products magazine, in association with the Soil Association).

For 2013, Canada, Argentina, the Philippines, and Malaysia will be hosting new international pavilions (joining Italy, Organics Brazil, Indonesia, Australia, and France, who’ll be hosting beauty and food pavilions).  There’s also a new Raw Food Village; an Organic Beauty Parlour hosted by the Soil Association; and a Retailer Networking Zone, where the Health Food Institute, National Association of Health Stores and the CHC will be hosting drop-in sessions.

Returning pavilions in the Natural Food Show section of the event, include the Soil Association Organic Marketplace, the Organic Trade Board Pavilion, Vegan Society Pavilion, and South West Food & Drink pavilion.

The full 2013 Natural & Organic Products Europe exhibitor list is available to search and view online at: http://onlineexhibitormanual.com/NOPE13/exhi/exhibitorlist.aspx.

The event’s organiser Diversified Business Communications UK have recently launched a brand new Natural & Organic Products Europe 2013 show app, which has been designed to provide attendees with everything they need before, during and after their visit; including a map to the venue, exhibitor details, a floor plan and seminar listings.  The app is available to download from the home page of the show’s website at www.naturalproducts.co.uk or direct:  http://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/adorecms-webapps/divbuscomms-app-472001/index.html#home.

Natural & Organic Products Europe, taking place on 7–8 April 2013 at Olympia London, includes four show sections:  Natural Living, Health & Nutrition, Natural Beauty & Spa and The Natural Food Show.  The event is free to attend for pre-registered trade visitors and relevant press representatives only.

For more information and to register, please visit www.naturalproducts.co.uk and quote priority code NPE1328 (http://www.eventdata.co.uk/Visitor/NPE.aspx?AffiliateCode=NPE1328).  Free trade registration closes at midnight on Saturday 6 April, after which a £20 door charge will apply.

###

Media enquiries & press pass requests to:
Emma-Louise Jones, PR Manager
Editorial representatives of relevant trade and consumer media (including freelancers) are invited to apply for press passes to Natural & Organic Products Europe 2013 via email to ejones@divcom.co.uk (please note, additional details may be requested to verify journalistic activity and all press passes are issued at the management’s discretion).  Press passes are not guaranteed to be issued onsite, so please apply before 5pm on Saturday 6 April.
t: +44 (0)1273 645134                 e: ejones@divcom.co.uk
http://www.divcom.co.uk
http://www.twitter.com/DiversifiedUK
https://www.facebook.com/DiversifiedUK

Exhibitor enquiries to:
Carol Dunning, Event Manager
t: +44 (0)1273 645125                 e: cdunning@divcom.co.uk
http://www.naturalproducts.co.uk
http://twitter.com/NatProductsShow
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Natural–Organic–Products–Europe/100622126677939

Notes to Editors:

Natural & Organic Products Europe, launched in 1997, is the UK’s biggest trade show for the natural products, health food and organic sectors.  In 2012, its 16th edition attracted over 7,352 attendees from 78 countries.

VISITOR INFORMATION: TRADE only
Location: The Grand Hall Olympia, Kensington, London W14 8UX, UK
Opening hours: Sunday 7 April, 9.30–17.30 & Monday 8 April, 9.30–17.00

Diversified Business Communications UK Ltd (Diversified UK) is a fast growing trade event organiser and publisher based in Brighton.  In addition to Natural & Organic Products Europe, Diversified UK’s portfolio includes Natural Products Scandinavia; Nordic Organic Food Fair; lunch!; Casual Dining (new for 2014); camexpo; office*; SITS – The Service Desk & IT Support Show; Natural Products magazine; and the Natural Beauty Yearbook.

Diversified UK is part of Diversified Business Communications, a leading international media company with a successful portfolio of sector leading exhibition, conferences, publications and websites.

The Vegan Society offers a vegan pledge scheme for people who would like to try to go vegan for 7 or 30 days.  On the 30 day programme the new vegan can be matched with an online vegan mentor who will support them during their pledge period by answering their questions and offering advice.  The Society has seen a significant increase in pledges so far in 2013 of 40% worldwide and 26% in the UK.

There are also other signs of a burgeoning interest in the vegan diet and lifestyle.  Anjali Sareen writing in the Huffington Post notes that there is evidence from Google Trends statistics that “veganism is entering the mainstream” following public support from figures such as former President Bill Clinton and Justin Timberlake for the vegan diet.  Google trends statistics for both the UK and worldwide show an increase of over 30% in the number of searches in the past two years for term ‘vegan’ with March this year showing the highest number of searches ever for ‘vegan’.  Organisers of the vegan consumer diet and lifestyle exhibition, VegfestUK, held on 16 and 17 March in Brighton saw a 44% rise in footfall from the previous year – from 5,000 to 7,200 visitors. The number of cookery books sold by amazon.co.uk with ‘vegan’ in the title also increased from 145 books in 2011 to 255 books in 2012 demonstrating a growing market for animal-free cookery.

Vegan Society CEO Jasmijn de Boo commented: “We welcome the recent surge in interest in the vegan diet and lifestyle.  It is hard to know whether it is the result of food scares such as the horsemeat scandal, the public support of celebrities for the diet or whether consumers are simply recognising that they need to re-think their food choices for the benefit of animal welfare, the environment and their own health.  Whatever the root causes this trend can only be good news for manufacturers and retailers that cater well for the vegan community.”

The Vegan Society’s Trademark scheme promotes vegan products and services through our widely-recognised and trusted Sunflower symbol. It is the internationally recognised ‘gold standard’ for animal-free products and services.  Over 450 companies in every continent except Antarctica have registered their products with The Vegan Society. The symbol appears on over 10,000 thousand animal-free products and is also used by catering businesses that have been registered with The Vegan Society.  Over 40 Vegan Society Trademark companies are exhibiting at the NOP-E exhibition this year.

ends

For more press information please contact Sam Calvert, Media & PR Manager at media@vegansociety.com or 01782 505430 or 07967 042050.

Notes to editors

• The Vegan Society, founded in 1944, is a registered educational charity (no. 279228) that provides information and guidance on various aspects of veganism, including to new and potential vegans, caterers, healthcare professionals, educators and the media. Visit The Vegan Society for more information.

• More information on the Vegan Pledge can be found at www.vegansociety.com/veganpledge/

Tony Bishop-Weston, Award winning Vegan Chef and Author of ‘The Ultimate Book of Vegan Cooking’ will be giving delegates at Natural and Organic Products Europe ( NOP-E)  exhibition in London the low-down on vegan cheese.

Tony has won awards from both The Vegan Society and the vegetarian society for his innovative vegan cooking and his latest cookbook can now be bought online in paperback for under £10.

In his cookery demonstration at NOP-E , called 50 Shades of Vegan Cheese , he will show chefs a number of different ways to create vegan cheese and dairy free cheesy sauces in less than 5 minutes in a restaurant.

Tony says “So many people tell me they can’t face life without cheese if they go vegan and this talk will prove that they don’t have to go without. There are so many new vegan cheeses, and different types out there , they are bound to find at least one that makes them go wow.

“What I really wanted to do is to help chefs think out of the box and show them they can make dairy free cheesy sauces and desserts in seconds with very basic ingredients available in most modern  restaurant kitchens.  If they can grasp this concept then it opens up a whole new world for them in catering for customers on a vegan diet so that chefs no longer cooking for vegans so intimidating”

It’s important for chefs and restaurant managers to get to grips with vegan diets as feed-back from The Vegetarian Society, The Vegan Society and Vegfest UK is that interest in veganism is up by 40% and ‘Google Trends’ confirms that. “They are going to have to do better than the ubiquitous vegan mushroom risotto or oven roasted vegetables in tomato sauce.”  warns Tony

There are now a plethora of dairy free vegan cheeses available from European Natural Product manufacturers.  Although we don’t yet have the legendary Daiya from the USA we have plenty of other vegan cheeses to choose from

• The award winning Vegusto organic vegan cheeses from Switzerland. Based on nut butter there’s a big range of gruyere like cheeses with great depth of flavour, a milder melting version and a cheese sauce that comes in a bag.
• The Redwood Wholefood company has a good selection too with their Cheezly cheddar and melting mozzarella versions. Their blue cheese tastes like a creamy French blue without a hint of actual mould so safe in pregnancy. They also make a soy free version.
• Bute Island Foods one of the pioneers of vegan cheese have moved on from the putty like hydrogenated fat Scheese they launched many years ago and given us a new generation of Sheese with cream cheeses and melting versions. They also make a successful own brand dairy free  selection for Tescos free-from range.
• Veganic is a new range from Germany launching at NOP-E with a very mild Leerdammer-ish sliced German style breakfast cheese and a grated version for putting on Pizzas.
• The American company Tofutti have added a vegan ricotta to their range of cream cheeses but it’s difficult to find in the shops.
• Celebrity Chef Tal Ronnen, who helped Oprah Winfrey go vegan, has taken vegan cheese-making to the next level and launched an artisan cheese company called Kite Hill in California, across the bay from San Francisco. They uniquely make dairy free cheese the traditional dairy way with natural bacteria and have created an incredible looking vegan camembert using fresh almond milk. Sadly it may be some time before we see anything like that in UK stores.
• Other vegan cheeses such as the incredibly rubbery rice and nut milk veggierella seem to have drifted into obscurity in the shadow of more popular cheddar cheese like versions but they still pop up in independent health food-stores now and again

Tony will be on stage in the Natural Food Kitchen at 2pm at Olympia and vegan cheese makers at the show will be bringing their dairy free produce from their various stands for you to try.

Tony will be back at Olympia in the Autumn for London Vegfest on October 5^th and 6^th a festival of vegan food, cake, film, cooking, talking , comedy, The Vegfest UK awards, yoga,  workshops and lots of fun.

London Nutritionist Yvonne Bishop-Weston announced today from her Harley Street clinic that “armed with a bit of basic nutrition knowledge and a bit of common sense, a whole-food based , plantarian style, vegan diet can be one of the healthiest on the planet. “

Yvonne was talking ahead of her presentation at Natural and Organic Products Europe Live in London at Olympia, on the Health of the Nation. Organisers hope to draw up an advisory UK manifesto for optimum health based on natural products industry principles.

Yvonne said “It’s time dietitians stopped suggesting meat is an essential part of the diet, it’s a lie.” Following statistics from Google trends, The Vegan Society , The UK Vegetarian Society and Vegfest UK  that reveal a 30-40% increase in interest in vegan diets worldwide Yvonne suggests it’s time health professionals had a little more courage and stopped thinking of vegan diets as restrictive and extreme. “Having your chest sawn open for open heart surgery is extreme, eating more fruits and vegetables is natural, logical and sensible!” she argues.

She explains “Dramatic health benefits of a vegan diet come from following President Bill Clinton’s example and eating more vegetables, more beans, more salad, more berries, more mushrooms, more kale, more nuts and seeds. “

Oxford University research shows noticeable health benefits kick in when you reach 8 portions a day of fresh fruit and vegetables. This naturally tends to happen when you move away from the traditional concept of meat and two veg . Providing you save the dairy free ice cream and the now ubiquitous vegan cupcake for treat food and not as a breakfast staple and you moderate your vegan wine consumption you’ll notice measurable differences in your body’s performance”

Vegan diets have been used in compelling research to find ways to both combat and treat heart disease (Dr. Caldwell B. Esselstyn, Dr John A. McDougall, Dr Dean Ornish) , diabetes (Dr Neal Barnard) and cancer (Dr. T. Colin Campbell)

For therapeutic use, Vegan whole food or complete food principles need to be applied to fats as well as carbohydrates. Omega 3 and 6 essential fats are very delicate and oxidise easily so wherever possible calories from fat should be eaten in their whole raw form. For example as sunflower seeds rather than as processed sunflower oil used for frying.

Yvonne’s key four principles to follow to attain optimum health are;

1)      Plant based not meat & dairy based

2)      Wholefood not half food (applied to fats as well as carbohydrates)

3)      Low GL and avoiding stimulants (caffeine, sugary drinks, alcohol, excess  salt  )

4)      Eat a rainbow every day – (thus ensuring a good intake of antioxidants and a variety of vitamins and minerals from berries and vegetables)

“If people find the task of changing their diet daunting they should just start with one day a week and then work up from there. They’ll gradually get to the stage where their body will stop crisis managing them with cravings for sugary, fatty foods in a desperate attempt to get more vitamins and minerals” advises Yvonne.

Yvonne will be back at London Olympia later in the year for Vegfest London  to talk about optimising  children’s diets and healthy lunchbox ideas.

While he grew FareStart into a highly successful nonprofi t, David launched FoodCircle, which was the fi rst and longest running online community of professional chefs and cooks from around the world.

His interest soon turned to creating vegetarian meats — specifi cally, how Buddhist monks developed Mien Ching, or “Buddha’s Food,” which perfectly aligned with their values of kindness to all beings. David began experimenting with Mien Ching ingredients. His European culinary background and love of strong, bold flavours helped inspire the creation of Field Roast, a charcuterie-style vegetarian grain meat.

In 1997, he established Seattle-based Field Roast Grain Meat Company with brother Richard Lee. Field Roast vegetarian meats quickly gained national attention, and David has become recognized as a leader in the fast-growing segment of vegetarian food products. Field Roast products are now sold in grocery stores nationwide, and are widely available at restaurants and universities.

David is a long-time supporter of animal rights causes and organizations working to end farm animal suffering. In 2011, his work culminated in two humanitarian awards: Farm Sanctuary’s Corporate Leader in Compassion Award and the James Beard Foundation’s Humanitarian of the Year Award, given to FareStart and accepted by David on behalf of the organization.

David is a dynamic public speaker whose work has been featured in Food Arts Magazine, Seattle Times, NPR, Food Product Design Magazine, as well as many other media sources. He is presently working on a cookbook about vegetarian meats.

Location: 1440 South Jackson Street, Seattle, WA
Online: Website: www.fieldroast.com | Blog: www.fieldroast.com/blog/ |
Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Field-Roast-Grain-Meat
Media Contact: Revolution PR, Angie Malpass, angie@revolutionpr.com

Field Roast through the years:
1996 Seattle chef David Lee creates Field Roast by combining the European charcuterie tradition of sausage making with the Asian Mien Ching tradition of crafting vegetarian meats from grains.

1997 The Field Roast Grain Meat Company is founded by brothers Richard and David Lee. Loaves are made in three original flavors: Smoked Tomato, Lentil Sage and Wild Mushroom. The company’s first products are sold at PCC’s Fremont store in Seattle. Field Roast’s 1st national business with Wild Oats and Whole Foods began.

1999 The three original flavors become available in retail pack-sized Quarter Loaves. Field Roast headquarters moves to Seattle’s Georgetown neighbourhood.

2002 Field Roast introduces hand-breaded cutlets in three flavors: Sunflower Country-Style, Hazelnut Herb and Coconut.

2003 David’s son Malcolm Lee joins the fast-growing company.
This year is marked by the debut of a holiday favorite, the stuffed Celebration Roast.

2004 Field Roast’s Classic Meatloaf is born as a two-pound food service offering.

2005 Field Roast creates sausages in three distinct flavors: Apple Sage, Italian and Mexican Chipotle. The sausages are a hit, winning ‘Proggy’ and ‘Golden Bun’ awards from PETA. Gourmet products, White Truffle Pate and Chao Cheese, are introduced to an ever-growing catalogue.

2006 Field Roast sausages take the country by storm.

2007 Two new breaded cutlets round out the flavors: Porcini Dijon and Chipotle Corn. Field Roast is selected as a CHOW pick.

2008 Field Roast goes on a hiring spree and sets its sights on a bigger location. A complement to the Celebration Roast, the Hazelnut Cranberry En Croute is launched for food service customers.

2009 Field Roast moves its headquarters to a 1920’s-era brick dairy at 1440 South Jackson St. The production kitchen, warehouse and offices are all housed in this historic building, completely refurbished for the development and production of Field Roast products.

2010 A new holiday tradition wrapped in a vegan puff pastry, the Hazelnut En Croute fly off grocery store shelves.

2011 Field Roast creates the first traditionally made American-style Frankfurter. The Frankfurter is selected to be featured on menus at Seattle’s Major League Baseball stadium, Safeco Field.

2012 Field Roast’s Frankfurter launches with nationwide availability in natural food markets in time for summer barbeques and baseball season. The Frankfurter is selected to be featured on menus at the San Francisco Giants’s Major League Baseball stadium, AT&T Park, and the Cleveland Indian’s Progressive Field. Frankfurter recieves PETA2’s Libby Award for the “Best Vegan Hot Dog”.

The company are delighted to showcase the phenomenally successful international brand Hevea at the Natural & Organic Show. Launched in Denmark in 2009, the award-winning contemporary brand encompasses stylish designs and natural rubber that is both people and planet friendly – perfect for eco babies.

Hevea was created by a mum who wanted to find a pacifier for her child that didn’t contain plastic and other materials that were mass-produced with chemicals. The Hevea pacifiers are made of 100% natural rubber, which is a natural sap obtained from the rubber tree. As its natural, it can vary in colour and shape and so each pacifier is completely unique …the beauty of being natural.

Brand new for 2013 is Kawan, the white Duck. Kawan means friend in Malay and he truly is the perfect pal for little ones. The patterned texture of his beak is ideal for soothing and massaging irritated gums and the hygienic, one-piece design prevents bacteria accumulating in cracks and joints making it a great bath toy too. The malleable 100% natural rubber encourages sensory development and natural colours stimulate baby’s vision.

The cute family of toys make beautiful gifts for new parents as well as a perfect sustainable choice for parents who are keen to create an eco-friendly life for their child. Headed by the king size Alfie the duck, you can also treat little ones to a smaller version of the cute duck as well as a selection of pond animals and an adorable frog called Fred and the lovely Polly the Fish.

In addition to the toys, there are a cute collection of pacifiers which feature different motifs including an all-new duck cut out pattern in addition to stars, flowers, cars and crowns, the range also includes teethers which are all made from the same 100% natural rubber.

As well as being truly environmentally friendly, Hevea is also super-stylish and adored by many A-list celebs including Miranda Kerr, Orlando Bloom, Jessica Alba and Alicia Keys. The stunning  Pacifier Holders come with a wooden rubber tree clip so you can accessorise your Hevea Pacifier and keep it close to baby at the same time. The holders now come in four colours including green, pink, baby blue as well as the original Chocolate brown. You can keep the pacifiers safe in the Organic 100% cotton Storage Bag. Keep all your pacifiers and teethers clean and safe from external pollution in the bags which complement the Pacifier Holders perfectly. Also comes with space to add baby’s name should they attend day care.

Hevea is incredibly proud of their eco credentials and considers the environment in every aspect of their business. All products are made from 100% natural rubber which is biodegradable and

all accessories are made from GOTS certified organic cotton. Hevea ‘s packaging FSC certified and soy ink is used on all accessories which is derived from a renewable and natural source.

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For further information, please contact Bebecatalog on 0208 399 5768 or contact sales@bebecatalog.com