No BSE infectivity in gelatine, more evidence
manufacturing process that have the potential to remove and/or
inactivate BSE pathogens, are totally effective, according to the
results of a recent TSE validation study.
All commonly used processes in the bovine bone gelatin manufacturing process that have the potential to remove and/or inactivate BSE pathogens, are totally effective, according to the results of a recent TSE validation study commissioned by the Gelatine Manufacturers of Europe.
Scientists, presenting their results at the "Gelatin Process Study Workshop" held in Brussels in early December, confirmed that even when the gelatin manufacturing process is applied to raw materials artificially infected with BSE, the study shows that no residual infectivity can be found in the gelatin with the most sensitive detection methods.
Under the auspices of the European Commission and within the framework of the BSE Research Program, the study was carried out in three international research centres: the Institute for Animal Health in Edinburgh (Scotland), the Baltimore Research and Education Foundation (USA) and the ID-Lelystad (the Netherlands).
The scientists claim that the results of the TSE validation study show that when the current legislation for raw materials is strictly adhered to, and when the tested processes are actually applied with at least the minimal conditions used in the study, the residual TSE risk associated with the consumption of gelatine becomes negligible.
The Gelatin Manufacturers of Europe (GME) represents 11 European companies and accounts for 45 per cent of worldwide gelatin production.
