First IP certification for sunflower lecithin
Cert ID Europe, the authority on non-GM traceability certification, has launched the first IP certification programme featuring PCR testing protocols to detect cross-contamination of soy in sunflower lecithin destined for food production, and in particular, chocolate, confectionery and bakery.
The new programme is designed to support suppliers of sunflower lecithin, an increasingly popular alternative to soy lecithin, the most widely used emulsifier in the food industry, to provide additional transparency and assurances to meet industry expectations and the requirements of the new BRC version seven.
Richard Werran, managing director of Cert ID Europe, says, “In the last two years there has been a strong industry trend, which is set to increase, to replace large volumes of soy lecithin with sunflower lecithin to avoid issues with GM and allergens. However, issues with cross-contamination co-mingling with soy with the lack of a validated and matrix optimised PCR test to verify the absence of soy in sunflower lecithin has proven challenging – until now.”
Cert ID Europe’s new programme specifies commodity testing using Genetic ID Europe’s new validated PCR test to detect the presence of soy in sunflower to a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.01%.
“This new PCR test, deployed within the context of a third party certification programme, adds the extra layer of assurance that food manufacturers now require to meet increasing regulatory, retailer and above all EU consumer expectations,” adds Werran.
