SOMERDALE LAUNCHES NEW ‘WESTMINSTER SHARP’ THE FIRST, FULLY ACCREDITED, NON-GMO BRITISH CHEDDAR
Latest innovation set to add to success of the ‘Westminster’ cheese range as it breaks through $5 million sales barrier in the States
Somerdale International, the leading importer of British cheeses and dairy products to the United States, has launched the first, fully accredited, non-GMO (genetically modified organism) British Cheddar. The new ‘Westminster Sharp’ Cheddar has been specially developed by Somerdale in partnership with Joseph Heler, the award-winning British cheesemaker located in the heart of England’s Cheshire countryside, in response to growing consumer demand for non-GMO foods especially in the U.S.
The new non-GMO Cheddar is the latest addition to Somerdale’s increasing popular Westminster cheese brand developed specifically for the U.S. market. Comprising authentic handcrafted ‘Sharp’, ‘Vintage’ and ‘Smoked’ Cheddars the Westminster range is now generating in excess of $5million p.a. of retail sales.
Westminster Sharp’ is an aged Cheddar cheese matured for at least 12 months which delivers a mouth-watering, strong and full flavour on the palate. The new ‘Sharp’ will be showcased on the Somerdale International stand at next month’s International Dairy-Deli-Bakery Association Seminar & Expo (IDDBA). The event being held in Anaheim, California (4-6 June) is the largest show in the world serving the Dairy, Deli and Bakery categories and expects to attract over 9,000 trade visitors and 1,900 exhibitor booths. U.S. retail stockists already confirmed include: Shaws; Safeway; Albertsons; and Earthfare.
The new ‘Westminster Sharp’ has been fully accredited as non-GMO by NSF International, the international food certification organisation, under the rigorous testing regime and consensus-based standards of the ‘Non-GMO Project’. The certification covers a comprehensive range of checks including ensuring that the cheeses are made with milk from dairy herds not fed with feed containing GMO and similarly that the rennet used in the cheese making process is also verified as non-GMO. Local Cheshire dairy farmers that supply milk to Joseph Heler for ‘Westminster Sharp’ will receive an additional milk price premium linked to the amount of cheese sold in recognition of their commitment to producing non–GMO milk.
Alan Jenkins, Director at Somerdale International commented “Across the world and particularly in the United States we are seeing increased interest and concern amongst consumers about what the food they eat contains and how it is produced. In line with this, there is a growing demand for non-GMO products and Westminster our new independently accredited great tasting aged British Cheddar responds to this by providing a credible non-GMO choice.
“Our launch of a non-GMO Cheddar follows on from the success of our non-GMO Cromwell Double Gloucester with Chives & Onions launched in July 2016. Both are good examples of how Somerdale is committed to developing products that add value and are tailored to meet the requirements of a diverse range of international market places. We firmly believe that our ability to offer to our US customers and their consumers non-GMO cheese will reinforce further our position as the leading exporter of British cheeses to the States.”
About Somerdale International
Somerdale International was last year honoured with the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade. It provides an effective route to the international market for over 250 great tasting British cheeses made in some of the country’s leading creameries including traditional Cheddars, blue cheeses, flavoured cheeses and traditional hand-made, artisan cheeses. Today, it is the leading exporter of British cheese to the USA with shipments leaving for New York every week. While it has also grown its presence in key markets such as China and the Far East, the Caribbean, Australia and emerging markets such as the Middle East & North Africa and Brazil.
About NSF International
NSF International is an independent global organization that writes standards, and tests and certifies products for the food, water, health sciences and consumer goods industries to minimize adverse health effects and protect the environment (nsf.org). Founded in 1944, NSF is committed to protecting human health and safety worldwide. Operating in more than 150 countries, NSF International is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and has been collaborating with the World Health Organization since 1997 in water quality and safety, food safety and indoor environments. NSF joined the Non-GMO Project in 2014 as one of its Technical Administrators providing it with a quality system and verification infrastructure.
http://www.nsf.org/services/by-industry/food-safety-quality/label-claims/gmo-transparency
About the Non-GMO Project
The Non-GMO Project is a non-profit organization committed to preserving and building the non-GMO food supply, educating consumers, and providing verified non-GMO choices.
