Organic Ingredients in the Fast Food Industry
Unhealthy, unsustainable, and synthetic – these words might come to mind when you think about fast food. However, the industry is changing. Like many other sectors, fast food has started moving towards more sustainable products that prioritize environmental and human health. Today, organic ingredients are finding their way into burger, pizza, and taco recipes nationwide.
The Evolution of Fast Food in America
Fast food as we know it started in the States. When White Castle opened its doors in Wichita in 1921, a new era of convenience was born. It offered people crisp, perfect, assembly-line-made hamburgers, which were the same every time you ordered one. While this might not sound that impressive today, it was a fascination at the time that attracted many customers.
The US highway developments and increased car ownership during the ’40s and ’50s catapulted fast food into the future. Drive-in-style restaurants dotted suburban landscapes, and in 1948, In-N-Out became the first drive-thru chain to see national success. Burger King, Taco Bell, McDonald’s, and Wendy’s soon adopted the drive-thru model, which they introduced to international markets.
Fast Food in the News for All the Wrong Reasons
What started as an inspiring story of the American Dream soon became a controversial industry threatened by countless critics. By the 1990s, fast food had become synonymous with unhealthy. In 1991, Kentucky Fried Chicken shortened its name to KFC to avoid the word “fried” – which did not sit well with health-conscious consumers.
Questionable supply chains, meat fillers, hormones, E. coli outbreaks, and more have plagued the infamous fast food industry ever since. Today, consumers demand more accountability.
Two Fast Food Companies That Are Changing the Narrative
One of the biggest concerns around fast food today is ingredient sourcing. Organic ingredients are 100% natural, GMO-free, and do not involve pesticides or herbicides. Here are two organic-certified companies changing people’s perception of fast food.
- Organic Coup
Organic Coup is America’s first USDA-certified organic fast food restaurant. Erica Welton and Dennis Hoover launched the first outlet in Pleasanton, California, in 2015. The menu includes free-range, organic chicken fried in organic coconut oil, available in a bun, wrap, or salad bowl. It also offers vegan-friendly organic tofu burgers and organic caramel popcorn. - Tractor Beverage Co
Tractor has been making USDA-certified organic and non-GMO beverages since 2015. Its founder, Kevin Sherman, started the company because of a lack of organic drink options in the fast food world. Today, it is available in over 6,000 locations in all 50 states, including Whole Foods, Chipotle, and numerous independent fast-food chains.
Navigating the Organic Certification Process
Committing to an organic fast food offering means undergoing a rigorous organic certification process facilitated by the USDA. First, you must apply to an accredited certification agent. Your application must include details about your ingredients, processes, supply chain, and land use to prove everything complies with organic production standards.
Before receiving your certification, you must pass an on-site inspection with the certifying agent. During the inspection, the agent may interview your staff, tour your facilities, and review your stock and transaction records to ensure ingredient traceability.
Get Certified-Organic Flavorings From Advanced Biotech
Every ingredient matters in an organic recipe. Advanced Biotech supplies USDA-certified organic flavors and fragrances for the food and beverage industry. Whether you’re searching for organic vanilla extract, ginger, cinnamon, or rose flavoring, you’ll find the ingredients in our premium organic offering. Please contact us for more information.