Non-GM sourcing options expand as Russia gains first certified supplier
Protein Plus, one of Russia’s largest suppliers of fluid lecithins in bulk, IBCs and drums for the food industry has become the first Russian supplier certified as non-GMO compliant by Cert ID Europe.
The firm said that certification will help to provide easy access for the European food industry to tonnes of independently certified non GMO product. The company noted that although Russia grows large quantities of non-GM soy, certification has so far been non-existent - which has meant that food manufacturers have been hesitant about sourcing from the country.
“The crops Russia produces today make full use of Non-GM domestic varieties, successfully developed over many years, without resorting to GM technology," said Valery Krasilnikov, general director of Protein PLus Co. Ltd.
"The value and competitiveness of our products is significantly increased by the additional assurance independent certification such as CERT ID provides.”
Local sourcing
“With pressure on supplies of non-GM soy from countries such as Brazil means that food manufacturers have to source lecithin and other soy based ingredients for example from elsewhere in the world," said Richard Werran, CEO of Cert ID Europe.
He said that Cert ID Europe has already certified tonnes of food grade non GM soy from North America - and continues to work with Indian suppliers on non-GMO certification too.
"Russia now gives another – and more accessible – alternative sourcing option."
In addition, Werran noted that many brands have set up factories and transferred production to Poland - with further migration expected to Romania and Bulgaria.
"Being able to locally source lecithin with non-GMO surety is a real advantage for food businesses”.