Organic AstaPure astaxanthin verified by Non-GMO Project
19 Sep 2017 --- Algatechnologies’ organic Haematococcus pluvialis microalgae powder and astaxanthin oleoresin have been granted non-GMO verification by the Non-GMO Project. Algatech is the first astaxanthin manufacturer to attain this verification.
“Consumers are actively seeking non-GMO products, so having the Non-GMO Project verify our line in accordance with its strict standards provides our partners added value on top of the existing USDA organic, GMP, kosher and halal certifications,” says Hagai Stadler, Algatech CEO.
AstaPure natural astaxanthin is sourced from the Haematococcus pluvialis microalgae, cultivated in the Arava desert, an ideal location for microalgae cultivation due to its clean air, stable climate conditions and intense sunlight all year round. The eco-friendly, GMP-certified closed-system technology allows for the production of the highest quality of microalgae products, the company reports.
“The most critical stage affecting the quality of algae-derived products is when the algae biomass itself is produced,” says Stadler.
“The importance of the purity of the biomass is essential for making clean-label products. One common characteristic of algae is that it absorbs almost all the components of the medium in which it is grown. Therefore, to produce high-quality biomass, the water, equipment, process, all nutrients, and even the air must be clean, strictly controlled and protected along the entire production chain,” Stadler adds.
Pure, non-GMO algae biomass is essential for meeting regulation requirements. Since developers and manufacturers of supplements, foods and beverages cannot possibly test for all potential impurities, it is critical to partner with a trusted supplier, Algatech asserts.
“A trusted algae source is the most important part of choosing an astaxanthin supplier,” adds Stadler.
“Algatech’s equipment is all food-grade, and its manufacturing processes are highly controlled,” says Shoshi Shunak, QA manager for Algatech. “USP approval refers to the procedures for testing certain components, not the product quality, nor the existence of contaminations. Preventing chemical contamination and ensuring compliance with the most rigorous global quality and food safety standards of this meticulous and sustainable process guarantees the highest quality of natural bioactive ingredients, with total traceability.”
“We are committed to providing the finest, pure microalgae solutions on the market. These international accreditations of GMP, organic USDA, ISO 9001/2015, HACCP, non-GMO and NAXA reaffirm this,” Stadler concludes.
“Algatech is an expert in microalgae. Nearly all the powerful nutrients microalgae offer stem from the fact that these plants have evolved over billions of years to survive in different environments and under extreme conditions. We are among the few companies in the world who have cracked the code for producing commercial-scale natural microalgae at the very highest of standards. We’ve been working relentlessly to unlock the potential of this fascinating single-cell life form, and at present, we are producing already five different species of microalgae of which we can source unique active ingredients with proven benefits for human health,” Efrat Kat, VP Marketing & Sales at Algatechnologies, tells NutritionInsight.
Over the past months, Algatech has been expanding its markets and production facilities. In July, the company received Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency (Anvisa) approval for the use of AstaPure as a food ingredient. This approval made Algatech the first astaxanthin supplier to start marketing its clean-label astaxanthin under the AstaPure brand in Brazil.
In a June interview, Kat told NutritionInsight that the Israeli company had expanded its production facilities.
“During this expansion, we also dedicated part of our facilities to new product development. Algatech sees itself as a leading microalgae company; we have the know-how and the experience, as well as the right infrastructure and location. There is still a lot of untapped potential, and we want to further develop this industry,” explained Kat.
Following the expansion, the company “recruited an entire team of R&D people, including a head of business development who will focus on new product development. We are expanding our team, but also our presence in the market,” Kat said. “We are looking to recruit more people for our team, and we are also conducting more clinical studies on our astaxanthin and related products.”
By Lucy Gunn
