Glanbia launches OatPure gluten free oats in the US
Oats are naturally gluten-free, but if not processed and packaged with attention, oat products can be contaminated by gluten, as was the case with the Cheerios gluten free contamination recall.
Current labelling guidelines from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) state that food products must contain fewer than 20 ppm to bear a gluten free claim.
According to Glanbia, the company’s NSF certified 14 step closed loop supply chain process called OatSecure “guarantees a remarkably high level of protection from seed to end product, providing manufacturers with peace of mind and absolute assurance of the provenance of the ingredient.”
The OatSecure Process
The oats are dried within three days of harvest and heat treated using an independently validated 4.6 log kill step to eliminate pathogens and mycotoxin growth. “These processes also help extend the shelf life of the oats to 18 months – a significant increase compared to standard oats,” the company said.
For the rest of the process, Glanbia’s agronomists work closely with selected growers in Ireland in a dedicated oat only specialist milling facility, working with one variety, the Barra seed, to ensure a consistent crop each time.
“The land is GPS monitored for full traceability while the seed is handled with dedicated gluten free, oat only equipment,” the company added. “It is also examined at all growth stages to optimize rotation, minimize the risk of cross-contamination and ensure the highest quality of pure oats for harvest.”
At the facility, trained Glanbia Agrifood personnel audit, label, and track the product “to deliver a fully traceable end product guaranteed to offer fewer than 10 ppm gluten.”
An ingredient for the thriving gluten free scene
Aimed to be adapted into many gluten-free food forms from bars to flavoured instant breakfasts, Glanbia’s OatPure oats have been licensed by Coeliac UK, the Coeliac Society of Ireland and the Spanish Federation of Coeliac Associations (FACE) to carry the crossed grain symbol.
“The gluten free category has transitioned from a trend into a mainstream sensation, embraced by consumers to meet their lifestyle choice,” Danielle Black, Product Manager, Glanbia Nutritionals, said in a press release. “With this sector accounting for 28% of US food product launches in 2015 , it’s clear that manufacturers must continue to innovate to deliver diverse solutions that meet consumers’ needs.
Glanbia’s OatPure gluten free oats were introduced to the European market in November 2014 and are now available across North America.
