The problem: the presence of hydrocyanic acid in flax seeds
Flax is a raw material recognized for its nutritional and industrial qualities. However, it naturally contains cyanogenic glycosides. These compounds release hydrocyanic acid (HCN), a substance toxic to humans.
European regulations now set strict limits:
– 250 mg/kg for flax seeds not intended for direct consumer sale.
– 150 mg/kg for flax seeds marketed to the final consumer.
Any batch exceeding these limits becomes non-compliant and cannot be sold in Europe.
The Steripure solution: an effective treatment technology
Steripure has developed an innovative process that completely removes hydrocyanic acid from flax seeds: treatment with saturated steam under air vacuum.
This process ensures:
– Complete elimination of HCN
– Homogeneous treatment of your batches
– Preservation of flax seeds’ organoleptic qualities
Irrefutable results
Example of a flax seed batch analyzed before and after Steripure treatment:
– Before treatment: hydrocyanic acid = 164 mg/kg
– After treatment: hydrocyanic acid < 5 mg/kg
Result: hydrocyanic acid is completely removed, enabling safe commercialization.
Benefits for your business
By choosing Steripure for your flax seed treatment, you gain:
– Safe commercialization: your batches comply with European standards
– Cost savings: you recover blocked volumes and avoid financial losses
– Reliability and flexibility: treatment available for small test batches or large quantities
Contact us
Looking for a reliable treatment to remove hydrocyanic acid from your flax seeds?
Steripure experts are here to help secure your supply and ensure your products comply.