Production processes at Kräuter Mix
There is growing demand for goods with a reduced germ count. Indeed, demand in the food industry for low-intervention, naturally treated, dried plant-based products has been on the rise for years now. This is in light of more stringent legal requirements, for one, but also a result of significant changes in consumers’ eating and cooking habits, as well as in food safety awareness among food manufacturers.
Saturated steam technology
As an industrial supplier, Kräuter Mix has been reducing the germ count of natural products for over 20 years. All five of our germ reduction plants – the latest commissioned in just 2021 – use state-of-the-art saturated steam technology to minimize the base microbiological contamination of herbs, vegetables and spices in accordance with legal and customer requirements.
The products are treated with saturated steam and briefly heated. Pathogens such as salmonella, sporulators or enterobacteria can naturally contaminate plant-based raw materials. Without using any chemicals, this process nips any potential pathogens in the bud. The process, which exclusively uses physical methods, works in a similar way to a pressure cooker.
Interaction of temperature, pressure and time
When it comes to food safety, the crucial factor in natural saturated steam treatment is ensuring the optimum interaction of temperature, pressure and treatment time, without impairing the sensory quality of the goods in terms of appearance, taste, aroma and ingredients. With just a few exceptions, saturated steam treatment for microbial reduction is suitable for all plant-based raw materials in any processed forms, including organic goods.
All five germ reduction plants at Kräuter Mix – four continuous large-scale plants and one chamber-based microbial reduction plant – are validated according to specifications set out in a process plan. Process validation is not mandatory for the production of foodstuffs, but it is required by law in accordance with the Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) guidelines for plant-based active ingredients and medicinal products. At Kräuter Mix, the chamber-based microbial reduction plant, and in future two further large-scale plants for ongoing production, maintain production in line with certified GMP standards, which promote the highest hygiene and heath-and-safety requirements.
Validation and qualification of the systems
Process validation serves to provide documented proof that production processes and equipment deliver the required product quality in a reproducible and reliable manner. Validation takes place in accordance with the Matrix concept. Flowers, leaves, herbs, fruits, seeds, roots, rhizomes, barks and fungi that are frequently affected by deviations in microbiological results are all examined. The results for these ‘worst-case scenario’ products are then used to draw conclusions for all products across the different product groups.
Alongside validation, the qualification of germ-reduction facilities is also a must, especially for GMP products, for which qualification is also mandatory. Qualification of production facilities aims to ensure that the products obtained using the machines are both reliable and reproducible. For this purpose, requirements and possible risks in using the equipment must be evaluated before it is put into operation.
Digitalization of production processes
In addition, Kräuter Mix is currently in the process of further digitalizing its tried-and-tested production technology and adding further management technology. As part of the digitalization of production processes toward Industry 4.0, state-of-the-art technologies such as cloud networks, artificial intelligence and business intelligence will be used going forward. Retrofitting facilities and establishing a machine-controlled process management system will allow continuous data exchange during product production – from the goods management system directly to the facilities, into the machine and back again. In future, this will allow all data from the value-added process to be evaluated with ease.
Flyer on the production process
Process description with flow charts of the germ reduction systems