Sprouted seed NPD addresses outbreak concerns, says Glanbia
ChoiceGrad Brown Sprouted MP and ChoiceGrad Golden Sprouted MP are the latest offerings from the ingredients manufacturer.
As there are currently no officially regulated steps in the production of sprouts to prevent bacterial growth or completely eliminate pathogens, Glanbia is hoping these two fully-traceable, heat-treated sprouted seed ingredients will fill the gap.
A serious problem on the increase
Foodborne diseases are a growing public health problem worldwide. The WHO estimates that annually, as many as 600m people – that’s almost 1 in 10 – fall ill after consuming contaminated food. The consequence is fatal for more than two-thirds of this group.
The seeds undergo the company’s patented MeadowPure process of sourcing, cleaning and sorting before undergoing its MicroSure Plus heat treatment, a validated 5-log kill process designed specifically to eliminate pathogens and increase shelf life in seeds and grains. The intense heat is said to dramatically decrease the microload to less than 10,000 CFUs (colony forming units), compared to the 100,000 measurement expected from other heat treatments.
Meticulous seed selection
Glanbia Nutritionals’ processes include seed selection, traceability along the supply-chain, a controlled environment to germinate the mucilaginous seeds, as well as air and water quality control. A further validation process tests the seed’s purity and its ability to germinate.
The company’s sprouted portfolio includes two flaxseed ingredients for ready-to-eat food products: ChoiceGrad Brown Sprouted MP and ChoiceGrad Golden Sprouted MP and ChoiceGrad Brown Sprouted MP, also available as organic. The company also offers a sprouted flaxseed ingredient for use in pet foods, PetGrad Brown Sprouted, and is working to offer a wider range of options in the future.
Glanbia Nutritionals is a division of Irish-headquartered nutrition company Glanbia plc.
