The Hindu Business Line : Defect suspected in Indian guar gum shipments

Mumbai, Aug. 20 Swiss food processing major Unipektin, which was mired in a controversy over contamination of a food additive containing guar gum, suspects that the source of contamination could have been from India — the largest exporter of guar seeds.

In a statement on its Web site, Unipektin said: “In our opinion, the equipment and packaging material can be largely ruled out as contamination source. On the strength of these measured values and the existing results from the guar split, suspicion is growing that the contamination occurred during processing either through contaminated water or cleaning- or process aids. We will have to rely on the measurement results from India for a conclusive assessment.”

“The measurement data for the samples taken during an audit at India Glycols (guar seed exporter) such as wood components from the guar-split sifter, the guar-gum sifter, as well as the transport packaging of guar seeds and guar split (jute sacks with poly inner sack) show low PCP (Pentachlorophenol, is a dissociative drug) contents,” the company added.

Testing samples

Earlier, Unipektin collected samples from the company for testing. “Based on our letter of complaint of July 20, 2007 an audit was arranged and carried out. During this visit samples of their delivery Nr. 1655 were handed out from India-Glycols to Unipektin. Also for those samples, analysed by Eurofins Analytik, the lab-result reported unacceptable high level of Pentachlorophenol,” the company said.

Apart from PCP, “all samples showed increased levels of Dioxin and Furans (TEQ) (incl. LOQ),” it said.

India stakes

India accounts for 80 per cent of global guar seed trade and exported about Rs 1,300 crore of it in 2006-07, mainly to the US and Europe.

If the findings of Unipektin prove right, guar seed exports from India could be hit. “At present traders feel that the quality issue is related with India Glycols’ consignment. But, if Unipektin findings turn true, there is a possibility of an export slowdown,” said an analyst.

Several German States targeted products made with Indian guar seed flour — also known as the food additive E412 — including yoghurt, sauces, bread, ketchup and baby formula.

In flour distributed by Unipektin to 10 European countries, up to 156 picogrammes of dioxin per gram of fat were found, which is well above the six picogrammes allowed by the European Union, authorities said.

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Defect suspected in Indian guar gum shipments