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“We are sole operator certified as per EU Organic stds”
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Monday, 14 April, 2025, 08 : 00 AM [IST]
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 Parry Nutraceuticals is a division of EID Parry, that deals in sugar and nutraceuticals. The company’s product is grown in an organic culture based on sustainable practices. The production facility is located away from industrial, agricultural activities and human settlement. It has pure air, clean ground water, plentiful sunlight and ideal temperature. It has state-of-the-art equipment for cultivation and processing. Its team of expert researchers has more than three decades of experience in micro-algae cultivation. Rajendran Lingan, head of quality assurance, Parry Nutraceuticals, in an email interaction with Harcha Bhaskar talks about the latest issue of absence of spirulina manufacturers in EU, its effect on Indian exports and company’s plan to find a solution to it. Excerpts:
Brief us about the company’s production facility.
Based in Chennai, in the south of India, Parry Nutraceuticals is India’s biggest producer of organic microalgae, and – with a capacity of circa 500 tonnes a year – one of the largest in the world. Harnessing the power of natural sunlight, the company cultivates nutrient-rich organic spirulina and chlorella in a pollution and contaminant-free environment, in line with the world’s highest quality and safety standards.
Share the detailed range of products available with the company.
Organic Spirulina and Chlorella Powder (Spray dried). Organic Spirulina and Chlorella Tablets. NPOP / USDA NOP / EU Organic / Naturland Certified.
What was the reason for absence of spirulina manufacturers in EU, what is the current situation?
In October 2022, the European Commission delisted a number of Indian organic certification bodies after detecting traces of the EU-banned pesticide ethylene oxide in a shipment of organic sesame seeds from India. Among the organisations affected by this move was the sole control body in the world authorised to certify organic microalgae from India, putting an indefinite stop to imports of organic spirulina into the EU from India.
Currently Parry Nutraceuticals, part of E.I.D.-Parry (India) Limited, is the sole operator certified as per EU Organic standards and initiated export to EU countries.
Why did European Commission delist various Indian organic certification bodies?
Due to detection of ETO in shipments of organic sesame seeds from India.
Which was the organisation affected by this norm? What was the impact on organisation and industry?
Due to the delisting since we had only one certification body in India which is accredited for certifying microalgae products, exports of organic microalgae products were stopped completely. Other exports are also affected due to this which we don’t have exact impact since total of four certification bodies were delisted.
What was your company’s action plan/solution for this issue?
We worked with EU certification bodies closely, got accreditation for India scope, completed our certification process and obtained our EU Organic scope certificate as per the new EU Organic standard.
What is the manufacturing process of spirulina? How is quality control done and certification acquired?
The company manufactures microalgae spirulina and chlorella algae in open raceway ponds and uses organic approved nutrients for cultivation. We do both continuous and batch harvesting process and the harvested biomass is dried using spray dried and made into powder which is sold as such or compressed in to tablets. We follow good manufacturing process as per 21 CFR Part 117 and the facility certified by BRCGS for global food safety and the products are non-GMO verified. This is apart from all the Organic certificates as mentioned earlier.
Share details on applications of spirulina in food, beverage, personal care and nutraceuticals industry?
Spirulina is used as food and dietary supplement all over the world and used as a source of nutrient to enhance energy, immune system and general health. It is used as powder in green energy drinks, spreads in foods, and also as tablets in the form of supplements at dosage of 2 to 3 gm / day.
Share the application of algae in various industries?
Algae has wide application in the area of food / feed / cosmetics / biofuel.
Apart from EU which are the other regions or countries to which you export your products?
India, USA, APAC countries.
What are your new launches and other future plans?
For the moment, we are dealing with bulk exports of Organic Certified microalgae products, namely spirulina and chlorella. New launches will be considered in the near future, based on the market’s trends and needs, and in terms of additional formats to the ones which we already offer – powder, tablets and granules.
Tell us about the research and development undertaken by your company.
Currently, our main focus in commercial cultivation and optimisation of production and process parameters and research is focussed in this area. We are also conducting studies to evaluate the benefits of our products.
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