BIO-CAT, an ingredient supplier specializing in enzymes and microbial ingredients, announced that it has achieved USDA Organic certification through QAI (Quality Assurance International), a leading certification body of the program.

Pressure has been mounting on ingredient suppliers to achieve these certifications in response to rising demand for clean-label, organic, and non-GMO products, the company reported, and, citing research by the Non-GMO Project, noted that sales of natural, organic, and functional products grew by 6.6% while conventional product sales declined by 0.2%.

Organic certification requires a stringent inspection process and adherence to strict federal standards which prohibit the use of pesticides, GMOs, and growth hormones.

BIO-CAT and BIO-CAT Microbials have each achieved organic certification, which extends to the ingredients Optiziome P3 Hydrolyzer and Optibiome BS50.

“BIO-CAT is committed to producing top-quality products for our customers,” said Robert Boyd, director of compliance for BIO-CAT and BIO-CAT Microbials. “Achieving organic certification for our facilities is another level of quality that we have implemented into our operations, as well as for the ingredients we produce.”

“BIO-CAT and BIO-CAT Microbials are proud to support the growing natural product movement with a robust portfolio of non-GMO enzymes and non-GMO microbials,” said Chris Schuler, CEO and Founder of BIO-CAT and BIO-CAT Microbials.