News
Sure - Global - Fair
Industrial self-control of the fruit juice industry
Issue 1/2015 of February 24, 2015
In this issue
EQCS analysis campaign 2014 – authenticity
and safety of grape juice................................................1
Addendum „New residue level for BAC and DDAC“:
transition period.............................................................3
SGF Interlaboratory Comparison Microbiological
Investigation of Fruit and Vegetable Juices....................3
Aroma profile of pineapple juices – geographical
origin is paramount........................................................4
QUALITHAI project, final workshop, and SGF/IRMA
Conference Thailand and Far East..................................5
Overview of deviations...................................................6
Important dates..............................................................6
Changes in participation­.................................................7
Change of company names............................................7
Published by...................................................................7
SAVE THE DATE: October 7 and 8, 2015
Juice Summit 2015
Hilton Antwerp Old Town
+++ see you there, see you there,
see you there, see you there +++
EQCS analysis campaign 2014 – authenticity and safety of
grape juice
Once again in 2014, the Voluntary Control Systems organised in the EQCS (European Quality Control System for Juices and Nectars from Fruits and Vegetables)
conducted another analysis campaign.
On behalf of the EQCS, SGF Service Plus GmbH tested grape juice finished products
(single-strength juice and from concentrate) for authenticity and safety criteria
with the following analysis scope:
Parameter
White grape juice
Red grape juice
SGF-ProfilingTM
X
X
Relative density 20/20
X
X
Corresp. Brix (table)
X
X
Soluble dry matter
X
X
Glucose (IC/HPLC)
X
X
Fructose (IC/HPLC)
X
X
Sucrose (IC/HPLC)
X
X
Oligosaccharide (low GC)
X
X
Maltose/Maltotriose
X
X
δ 13C sugar
X
X
Titratable acid, expressed as tartaric acid pH 7.0
X
X
Titratable acid, expressed as citric acid pH 8.1
X
X
Total sulphur dioxide (IFU 7a)
X
X
L-malic acid
X
X
Tartaric acid
X
X
Citric acid
X
X
Sodium
X
X
Potassium
X
X
Nitrate
X
X
Sulphate
X
X
Formol value
X
X
δ 18O (water)
X
X
Ratio
X
X
Total sugar
X
X
Sugar-free extract
X
X
Glycerol
X
X
Gluconic acid
X
X
Ochratoxin A
X
Glucose/fructose ratio
X
Pesticide screening
X
X
SGF XNews 1/2015
Page 1
Of the altogether 50 analysed finished
goods, 22 came from SGF/IQCS plant inspections and mar-ket controls in Germany.
Out of the 22 samples 15 samples were unobjectionable. 4 samples were borderline
and will be re-analysed during this year’s
market and plant inspections in the framework of the Voluntary Control System (VCS).
In detail we found:
•
•
•
•
SO2 level not clear because of measuring uncertainty (around 10 mg/L)
Elevated levels of gluconic acid not
clear in the framework of measurement uncertainty
Nitrate levels in one single-strength
grape juice between 10 and 15 mg/L –
nitrate concen-tration because of origin or fertilisation
Very low formol value: deviation from
AIJN Code of Practice due to harvest
situation
3 of the analysed samples from the SGF/
IQCS sphere of responsibility are questionable and will be further investigated during
2015 market and plant inspections:
•
•
2 samples with an SO2 level clearly exceeding 10 mg/L,
1 sample (white grape juice) with a gluconic acid level clearly exceeding 700
mg/L. Whether it concerns an exception for harvest with unusual weather
conditions provided by the AIJN CoP,
could not be checked.
There were no cases of classic
adulteration (e.g. addition of
sugar, foreign water) observed
in the framework of the examined samples.
Deviations giving cause for concern consist
of isolated occurrences of high or elevated
gluconic acid levels: here microbial activity
cannot be ruled out in at least some of the
processed grapes in the affected samples.
One particularly positive aspect
is that it was not possible to detect the mycotoxin ochratoxin
A in levels exceeding 0.40 µg/
kg in any of the examined red
grape juices (according to the
Regulation (EC) No. 1881/2006,
the maximum level for ochratoxin A in grape juice is 2 µg/kg).
The results of this analysis campaign are
most satisfactory in terms of product authenticity and safety. There is potential for
improvement regarding the contaminant
SO2 and the hygiene parameter gluconic acid
in isolated cases.
Furthermore, the pesticide
residues also examined in the
framework of pesticide screening were all below the maximum residue levels (of the
fruit) stated in the pertinent
regulations.
The overall results of the EQCS campaign
were presented at the Juice Summit 2014 in
Antwerp.
In terms of SO2 levels, 85% of
the finished goods from Germany examined in the context
of this campaign gave no cause
for objections. The range of
fluctuation in defining the sulphurous acid pursu-ant to IFA 7a
is relatively high. In the interests
of comparability, a value of R =
0.22x + 1.62 is used. We therefore recommend that reconfirmation analysis should be carried out in a second laboratory
for all KPIs outside the usual
fluctuation ranges, and in particular for SO2 levels of around
10 mg/L.
SGF News 1/2015
Page 2
Addendum „New residue level for BAC and DDAC“: transition period
In our News 5/2014, we informed you that the EU Regulation
1119/2014 dated 16 October 2014 stipulates a new maximum
level of 0.1 mg/kg for the pesticide active substances benzalkonium chloride (BAC) and didecyldimethylammonium chloride
(DDAC).
The Regulation was published on 23 October 2014 in the Official Journal, coming into effect directly in every Member State on the twentieth day following publication, and therefore
on 12 November 2014. Accordingly, no transition period was
granted under this Regulation.
However, a statement by the „Standing Committee on the
Food Chain and Animal Health“ (SCoFCAH) of the „European
Commission – DG SANCO – Rev of 23 October 2014“ indicates
that an appropriate period of time should be allowed for the
practical changeover from the previous provisional limit value
of 0.5 mg/kg to 0.1 mg/kg, with a corresponding transition period extending through to 12 August 2015.
Accordingly, the value of 0.5 mg/kg applies for assessing the
marketability of products made through to 11 August 2015, in
other words before 12 August 2015.
SGF Interlaboratory Comparison Microbiological Investigation of Fruit and Vegetable Juices
We are repeatedly receiving inquiries and requests from our
member companies asking whether in addition to our successful SGF laboratory comparison on physicochemical parameters
in fruit juices we could also offer a similar laboratory comparison for the microbiological investigation of fruit juices.
Possible parameters to be investigated in this kind of laboratory comparison could be:
•
•
•
•
•
feedback by 23 March 2015 (by email to [email protected], subject:
Interlab Microbiology), indicating whether you would like us to
do this and which parameters would be of particular interest
to you.
Once we have received your feedback we will then be in a better position to make plans for the investigation.
Total bacterial count of potential beverage spoiling microorganisms (IFUMB02)
Yeasts (IFUMB03)
Moulds (IFUMB04)
Lactic acid bacteria (IFUMB05)
Detection of Alicyclobacillus in fruit juices (IFUMB12)
However, as we cannot currently determine how great the
interest is among our member companies for this kind of laboratory comparison, we kindly request you to provide brief
SGF News 1/2015
Page 3
Aroma profile of pineapple juices – geographical origin is paramount
For a long time now, the thioester methyl-(3-methylthio)propionate and ethyl-(3methylthio)propionate contents have been
discussed in conjunction with evaluating a
flavour restoration of pineapple juice from
pineapple concentrate.
In 2009 the consumer magazine ÖKOTEST
assumed a total content of 1000 µg/L of
both thioesters as being the average content in pineapple juices in the case of multivitamin multi-fruit juice products and based
the assessment of a “flavour-restored pineapple portion” on the calculated content of
both thioesters (depending on the proportion of “pineapple” in the multi-fruit juice
product).
The data basis for this and comparable
assessments was derived from flavouring
analyses of single strength pineapple juices
available on the market. For example, for
the totals of both thioesters, ranges of 1120
to 5100 µg/L at a mean value of 2600 µg/L
were assumed.
In the course of the discussion, which has
been ongoing since 2009, a lot of commentators were saying that when assessing the
flavour profile of pineapple juice and in particular the two thioesters, it must be considered that in the German market, Costa
Rica can be mostly assumed to be the geographic origin of single strength pineapple
juice. In the case of pineapple juice concen-
trate, blends from concentrates of varying origin and above all pineapple juice concentrate from Thailand are generally used.
A FEI (Research Association of the German Food Industry) report from 2009 (AiF
14949 N, “Clarifica-tion of flavouring changes in the production of pineapple juice”,
German Research Centre for Food Chemistry, Prof. Dr. Dr. P. Schieberle) already
provided an initial guide in this conjunction:
For 20 pineapple juices from Costa Rica that were analysed, total contents of both
thioesters of 2080 µg/L to 6300 µg/L, at a median of 3150 µg/L are specified. In the
case of the two pineapple juices of Thai origin documented in the research report,
the statement about the content of thioe-sters is more problematic. Whereas a
sample provided a total of 132 µg/L, a second Thai sample measured a thioester
total of 1080 µg/L.
To improve the data available, authentic samples of single strength pineapple juice
were taken by experienced auditors at SGF/IRMA audits in Costa Rica and Thailand
in 2013. These were then investigated in Germany using the official method (as per
§ 64 LFBG, German foodstuffs and animal feed code). In the process we obtained
the following results:
Total thioesters
Costa Rica
Thailand
11
8
No.
-
Minimum
µg/L
1249
0
Average
µg/L
3767
41
Median
µg/L
3804
35
Maximum
µg/L
7420
87
SGF News 1/2015
Page 4
The values determined by the SGF for methyl-(3-methylthio)propionate and
ethyl-(3-methylthio)propionate show that the geographic origins Costa Rica and
Thailand must be clearly distinguished in respect of the expected flavour profile
of pineapple juices.
This means that average contents relating to the total of both thioesters such as
1000 µg/L cannot be applied across the board for assessing a voluntary flavour
restoration1 of pineapple. Low contents of both thioesters could therefore be an
indication that this kind of flavour restoration
•
•
In the course of the SGF/IRMA audits still to
take place this year as part of the voluntary
control system, further samples will be taken
from other relevant sources of origin to supplement the database.
We‘ll keep you informed.
was either done on the basis of a flavour recovered from Thai fruit or
no flavour restoration was done at all.
1
“Fruit Juice and Soft Drinks Regulation dated 24 May 2004 (Federal Law Gazette I p. 1016), recently amended by Article 1
of the regulation of 23 October 2013 (Federal Law Gazette I p. 3889)” and “EU Council Directive 2001/112/EG relating to
fruit juices and certain similar products intended for human consumption.”
QUALITHAI project, final workshop, and SGF/IRMA Conference Thailand and Far East
In our newsletter 5/2014, we informed you
that the final event for our project to improve product safety and quality for the fruit
juice industry in Thailand (QUALITHAI) with
our project partner, the Deutschen Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit
(GIZ), will be held in Bangkok on 25 February.
However, the event has had to
be postponed because of scheduling conflicts. It will now be
held on
Eastin Grand Hotel Sathorn
33/1 South Sathorn Road,
Yannawa, Sathon,
Bangkok 10120.
5 March 2015
You are cordially invited to attend. Further
details are available from the SGF office.
together with our SGF/IRMA
Conference Thailand and Far
East, in the
SGF News 1/2015
Page 5
Overview of deviations
This rubric, which we will present in our News regularly from now on, will inform you about quality deviations detected in fruit and
vegetable juice products since the last SGF News .
The statutes stipulate that the SGF has to initiate corrective actions in cases of serious nonconformities in the authenticity, labelling
or safety parameters concerning the legal requirements or those stipulated by the industrial standards. Depending on the severity of
the ascertained nonconformities, the inspected plants receive objection letters stating corrective actions, such as obligation acknowledgements or negative covenants.
Product
Observation
Semi-finished good
Apple juice concentrate
Arbutin verifiable (foreign fruit addition pear)
Semi-finished good
Apple juice concentrate
Addition of sugar
Finished good
Apple juice Nfc
5-Hydroxymethylfurfural > AIJN CoP
Finished good
Apple juice Nfc
Lactic acid > AIJN CoP
Semi-finished good
Aseptic pineapple juice concentrate
Atypical analytical profile, calcium > AIJN CoP, glucose/
fructose ratio > AIJN CoP, indication for processing of
peel and core
Semi-finished good
Cranberry juice concentrate
Fruit content parameters lower than usual
Finished good
Peach nectar
Declared fruit content analytically not verifiable
Semi-finished good
Pear juice with Vitamin C
Relative density < AIJN CoP
Semi-finished good
Pineapple juice concentrate
Ethephon - Exeedance of MRL
Semi-finished good
Pomegranate juice
Pesticide Lambda-cyhalothrin close to MRL
Finished good
Pomegranate juice from concentrate
Relative density < AIJN CoP, Health Claim not declared
properly
Finished good
Pomegranate juice from concentrate
Sucrose content > AIJN CoP, suspicion of sugar addition
or addition of foreign fruit
Finished good
Pomegranate juice Nfc
5-Hydroxymethylfurfural > AIJN CoP
Finished good
Tomato - Vegetable juice
Declared vitamin C content analytically not verifiable
Important dates
March 5, 2015
QUALITHAI Project Final Workshop in Bangkok/Thailand
April 15 and 16, 2015
Juice World 2015 /Russia
http://www.juiceworldrussia.ru/eng/about_conference
April 18 - 22, 2015
JPA Annual Meeting 2015 in Williamsburg/Virginia
www.juiceproducts.org
May 19 - 20, 2015
VdF Annual Fruit Juice Meeting in Lüneburg/Germany
www.fruchtsaft.org
October, 7 - 8, 2015
Juice Summit 2015 in Antwerp/Belgium
www.juicesummit.org/2015
October, 10 - 14, 2015
ANUGA 2015 in Cologne/Germany
www.anuga.de
SGF News 1/2015
Page 6
Changes in participation­
You will find a daily updated list of SGF certified members in the member portal on www.sgf.org. We urgently recommend keeping yourself updated here about the membership situation of your co-operation partners.
We welcome all new members who have joined since the last newsletter and look forward to successful cooperation.
The operational prerequisites and control measures required for confirmation of compliance with the rules and regulations of the
VCS are not yet all complete for the newly registered companies. However, the SGF office and the new members will handle these
as soon as possible.
On completion, the new VCS participants will be featured in the list of in-spected members on our website. This means that until
receipt of the SGF certificate, all deliveries from these companies or production sites have to be treated as non-system goods and
are subject to special quality and authenticity examinations.
Since our last newsletter, the following companies listed below have applied for SGF membership or participation in the Voluntary
Control System.
New applications
SGF/IRMA - Semi-finished goods producers and production plants
Poland
Thailand
Turkey
Döhler Sp. z o.o.
ul. Dobrowolskiego 21
05-555 TARCZYN
Samroiyod Corp. Ltd
1381, Soi Ladphrao 94,Wangthonglan
10310 BANGKOK
Döhler Marmara Gida
San. Anonim Sti.
Kocyatagi Mevkii Ovakoy PK:200
10010 BALIKESIR
Samroiyod Corporation Ltd.
142/1 Moo 6 Salalai, Samroiyod
77180 PRACHUAP KHIRI KHAN
Change of company names
Previous company name
New company name
Germany
Fruchtsaft Bayer GmbH & Co. KG
Bayer Gemüse- und Fruchtsaft GmbH
Lauterecker Fruchtsaft GmbH
Niehoffs Vaihinger Fruchtsaft GmbH
Cuba
Empresa de Citricos Heroes de Girón
Empresa de Citricos „Victoria de Girón“
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SGF News 1/2015
Page 7