Upcycled Certified: Give Food Waste a Second Life
WFCF’s Upcycled Certified program helps brands turn perfectly good ingredients that are often discarded into innovative, market-ready products.
What Is Upcycled Food?
Upcycled food refers to ingredients made from surplus or byproducts that would otherwise go to waste. The upcycled meaning in food is simple: take ingredients that are still safe and nutritious, and upcycle them into new products. Examples include:
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Upcycled fruit from juice pulp
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Vegetable trimmings turned into powders, soups, or snacks
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Brewing or coffee byproducts transformed into flours or functional ingredients
Upcycling not only reduces waste but also creates a sustainable, circular supply chain and a new revenue stream from materials that would otherwise be discarded.
Why Upcycled Certification Matters
WFCF’s Upcycled Certified provides third-party verification that your products meet strict upcycling standards. Key benefits include:
Supporting climate goals and measurable food waste reduction
Building consumer trust with credible sustainability claims
Strengthening ESG reporting for investors, partners, and corporate stakeholders
Protecting your brand from greenwashing and misleading claims
Certified products also stand out on retailer shelves and e-commerce marketplaces, giving your brand a competitive advantage in sustainability-focused categories.
Who Should Get Certified
Food and beverage brands creating snacks, bars, beverages, or other products from upcycled ingredients
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Ingredient companies supplying flours, powders, or purees made from byproducts
Processors and manufacturers integrating upcycled materials into new products
Retailers seeking to verify sustainability claims on private label items
If your operation is using ingredients that would otherwise be wasted, becoming Upcycled Certified can elevate your sustainability story and enhance market credibility.
See the Impact
Wondering what upcycling can really do? Our latest Upcycled Certified® Impact Report showcases the momentum behind the movement - from pounds of food waste diverted to the rapid growth of certified products across the globe.
It’s more than a report. It’s proof that verified action can drive measurable change.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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