Prepared Foods Editor Bob Garrison talks about upcycled new foods and beverages—and the ingredients behind them—with Angie Crone, UFA’s newly appointed chief executive officer. This discussion includes a look at the sector’s recent growth (a 118% increase of Upcycled CertifiedⓇ products and ingredients 2022 over 2021), consumer appeal and certification program.

Allied Market Research valued the global upcycled food products market at $53.7 billion in 2021 and projects it to reach $97 billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 6.2% from 2022 to 2031. Leading that charge in the US and abroad is the Upcycled Food Association (UFA), which boasts 260 members and as many as 421 Upcycled CertifiedⓇ products and ingredients. Officials believe UFA’s certified program has diverted an estimated 1.6 billion pounds of food waste from landfills since May 2021.