Finding other ways to guarantee safety and quality of extract besideirradiation, catering to customers who are unconvinced that the sterilisation technique is safe.
The irradiation process exposes foods to ionizing radiation that kills insects, moulds, and up to 99 per cent of pathogens. Although upheld by many as a safe process, the regulatory story on irradiation is inconsistent across the globe.
In the US, it has been an accepted manufacturing practice since 1963 to control mould and insect infestation in wheat and to inhibit the growth of sprouts on potatoes.
In Europe, however, the only foods that may be irradiated and sold freely across the EU are dried aromatic herbs, spices and vegetable seasonings. These must be irradiated in an approved EU facility, labelled 'irradiated' or 'treated with ionising radiation' and accompanied by full and correct documentation relating to the irradiation treatment.
Because of this inconsistency, herbal extractors who want to market their wares on an international basis are seeking other ways to guarantee quality and safety.
Chinese supplier Fenchem, for instance, has said that its newly-approved Quality Control System, which has been in place for the past year, removes the need to irradiate its herbal extracts and seasoning.
It says that it operates GMP-grade production to guarantee quality and safety instead of irradiation, since the system involves strict standard operating procedures. In communicating this assurance, Fenchem is aiming for a competitive edge over other Chinese suppliers on this basis.
A spokesperson told NutraIngredients.com: "Fenchem is the leading company in China to adopt this Quality Control System and make non-irradiation claim. About other Chinese suppliers, it remains to be known."
US supplier BI Nutraceuticals set up operations in China in late 2004. It uses steam sterilization for herbals to by-pass the need for irradiation – a process employed by some European firms but less common in the US.
(copy from http://www.nutraingredients.com/Industry/Extractors-shore-up-processes-to-avoid-irradiation)
