EHL Ingredients installs equipment to reduce cross-contamination

UK-based food ingredients importer, blender and packer EHL Ingredients has installed machinery to reduce risks of cross-contamination of products at the time of production and handling.

The company has installed three new pieces of machinery in its third site on Broadstone Industrial Estate.

EHL Ingredients joint managing director Tasneem Alonzo said: “We have always had stringent allergen controls in place but this investment in completely separate production areas for standard and non-allergen ingredients means our customers can rest assured that the products they receive from us have not come into contact with allergens at any point during our handling.

“It means we can operate more efficiently and speed up production, offer a quicker turnaround, and deliver products to our customers in shorter lead times.

“We are aware many companies carry out risk assessments on batches of allergen-free products but taking these steps means we can help our customers to reduce the number of product recalls and protect consumers against potential allergic reactions.”

EHL Ingredients noted that the installation of new machinery has enabled it to offer its products with more confidence that no cross-contamination has occurred.

The company installed an automatic filling machine that has been designed to portion and dispense dried herbs and spices, as well as handle blended powders, grains, seeds and beans.

Additionally, an automated labelling machine has been installed to speed up the adhesion of labels.

Alonzo further added: “There is a rise in food allergy sufferers in the UK and around 1% of Britons suffer from coeliac disease (gluten allergy), with around 12% of adults choosing to follow a gluten-free diet.

“To feed this demand, the food industry is under pressure to bring high quality, differentiated, allergen-free and free-from products to market.”