Dr Cameon Ivarsson outlines technical and scientific skills necessary to deal effectively with the problems of microbiological contamination of foods.
Worldwide, but more particularly in Europe, in the United States and Japan, the distribution of foodstuffs are subject to stringent regulations and frequent and rigorous controls. This close monitoring of the products intended for human consumption is applied in particular to the countries known as emerging or developing countries. They are important producers of specific crops that often represent a major part of their country's export activity.
Many of these products are heavily contaminated at the origin by pathogenic germs and mycotoxins. This is because the local harvest, storage or transportation conditions are conducive to the exposure and development of micro-organisms and pests. This contamination results in heavy economic losses for these countries and, for the importers, the heavy cost of treatment of the contaminated imports.
Until now the treatment methods involved fumigation or irradiation to eliminate parasites, pests and micro-organisms. Legislation today limits or prohibits the use of these methods and consumer trends favour more natural food treatment and preservation methods. This drastic change in regulations justify the development over the last five years of a new process pasteurisation by SteamLab that is specialised in applying this technology to dry foods such as herbs, spices, nuts and dried fruit.
SteamLab's specific process for these delicate products minimises the impact of the treatment on the colour, texture and flavour of the product. Its pasteurisation technology relies on a totally natural process.
This technology is of particular interest for high value added products such as condiments, herbs, spices, nuts and dried fruit, whether whole, chopped or in powder form, as well as pharmaceutical products.
SteamLab and its research centre and treatment facility are in contact with the major players in this market, which is showing a growing interest in their natural pasteurisation method. The interest exists at all levels from the growers to the importers, transporters, packers and retailers. The company is the provider of a specific process for customers looking for personalised solutions adapted to their needs, using parameters defined and applied either on their own site in Boizenburg, or at the customer's site in the vicinity of the product collection and storage site.
Iranian deal SL 886-S
The SteamLab process is totally natural, does not use any chemicals, leaves no residues and can be applied to delicate dry products whether whole, chopped or in powder form.
The process that delivers germ reduction of the order of 106 to 107, without any significant change in the organoleptic qualities of the treated product, brings an efficient solution to a serious problem affecting this industry. This is how, with serious references and a conclusive study, the interest in the SteamLab system is confirmed by the sale of their largest treatment unit in Rafsanjan, Iran.
In November 2002, SteamLab signed a significant contract in Iran for the sale of an important pasteurisation unit. Pistachio nuts are among the top export products of the country but the crop has been plagued by Aflatoxin contamination issues. These toxins are cancer causing substances that are produced by moulds that can develop on fruits, seeds and nuts. Iran's pistachio exports have been severely hampered by strict food safety standards intended to protect consumers. SteamLab has brought a solution which eliminates the moulds by applying its pasteurisation process, thus stopping the production of Aflatoxins. The large treatment unit is dimensioned to treat the nuts during the harvest period and has a monthly capacity of 3600 tons and is scheduled to be up and running for the next crop. This major investment in Iran (E900000) is further confirmation of the proven technology. It will deliver to its owner remarkable benefits adding value to the product, extending its shelf life and secure storage and transportation.
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Dr Cameon Ivarsson is with SteamLab.Systems GmbH, Hamburg, Germany www.steamlab.de
