UK tuna market regulation inquiry and updates
Greetings Everyone!
I am currently working at a Tuna company that exports canned and pouched tuna on the US and EU markets. Just this recently one of our buyers suddenly asked our company to guarantee that our products are starch-free and ensure this by doing chemical tests (i.e. iodine test). I have done my research but it seems that I can't able to find any information regarding this regulation. Anyone know any information regarding such regulation in the UK?How recent was this regulation implemented?Any form of help would do guys.
Thank you!
Joven
Hi Joven
As starch is an approved additive in the EU- I would very much doubt that it is a legislative requirement!
E1404 Oxidised starch E1410 Monostarch phosphate E1412 Distarch phosphate E1413 Phosphated distarch phosphate E1414 Acetylated distarch phosphate E1420 Acetylated starch E1422 Acetylated distarch adipate E1440 Hydroxyl propyl starch E1442 Hydroxy propyl distarch phosphate E1450 Starch sodium octenyl succinate E1451 Acetylated oxidised starch E1452 Starch aluminium Octenyl succinate
From memory starch is sometimes added to fish to hide 'off odours' -so maybe it is a company requirement based on this?
Mike
Hi Mark,
Thank you for the response!
Actually I was doubting also that it is a legislative requirement. However according to the company that is requesting such guarantee, they were made aware that testing has been carried out within UK tuna market that a presence of starch has been identified in a retail tuna product. And because they want to ensure their diligence in this matter, they suddenly want to implement a no tolerance policy on this issue. They didn't site any sources of this information or any regulation for this matter so we also have no idea if a new regulation has been implemented regarding this.
Joven
Hi Joven
I am not aware of anything & there is nothing on the FSA website realting to this.
(the codex specification for canned tuna includes starches) codex canned tuna.doc 56.5KB 12 downloads
Could be a labelling issue? allergen/intolerence
(the canned tuna in brine that I buy in the Uk certainly does not identify starch in the ingredient list-but I know that tuna in certain sauces in the UK does)
I guess at the end of the day..... if your customer wants 'starch free' tuna -then you have to comply?
Mike
Hi Mike
Sorry I mistaken your name for Mark on the previous post.
Thank you again for your Insight and even sharing the codex file. Will check it out later. I agree, as a supplier, we always have to comply to the customer's standards if we want to continue supplying. Its good to know the status of this issue on the current FSA regulation. It is helpful so that we may anticipate any additional standard that we may imposed to our product since imposing new standards requires cost and often needs lead time for approval. It also help us to decide whether to impose such standard to the rest of our buyers/market.
Thank you,
Joven