Top 5 Organic Food Trends for 2026

As we enter a new year, here are my Top 5 Organic Food Trends for 2026.

• NON-UPF VERIFICATION EMERGES AS A DEFINING SIGNAL

Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are now top of mind for consumers, and as such, the single biggest mistake organic brands can make heading into 2026 is dismissing the new Non‑UPF Verified certification, set to officially launch this month.

Recent research shows that how processed a food is now matters more to shoppers than organic, Non-GMO, regenerative or sustainability claims — by a significant margin — and nearly three-quarters of U.S. consumers are actively trying to avoid ultra-processed foods. That demand is being reinforced by mounting health evidence, including a 2024 landmark global review linking UPFs to damage across multiple organ systems.

Non-UPF Verified is managed by the same organization behind the Non‑GMO Project, giving it instant credibility and operational maturity.

Over the past several months, 16 brands have participated in the Non-UPF Verified pilot program, with hundreds more on a waitlist. The first verified products are expected to be announced imminently, and the program is sure to draw significant attention at Expo West 2026.

“I have not talked to a single brand that doesn’t understand the importance of addressing UPFs, and it is a trend unlike any we have ever seen in our industry,” said Megan Westgate, CEO of Non-UPF Verified and the Non-GMO Project. “There is no certification fatigue when it comes to UPFs, and even for those companies who are not qualifying, they are reformulating or launching new product lines.”