The Minafin Group is pleased to announce that the European Parliament and the Council have amended Directive 2009/32/EC to add the methyloxolane to the list of permitted processing aids for the manufacture of food ingredients
Methyloxolane is supplied by the Minafin Group under the EcoXtract® brand and is an innovative 100% plant-based solvent for the extraction of oils, vegetable proteins and natural ingredients. It is produced from agricultural co-products such as sugarcane bagasse and does not compete with food production. Natural oils, proteins and flavors are used in many consumer products from food and feed to medicines and cosmetics. The current reference extraction method is based on the use of hexane, which is a petroleum-based solvent that has recently been reclassified by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) as a proven human neurotoxicant. The authorization for the use of hexane is long-standing and based on studies dating back more than 30 years, which
are far below the current level of requirements of EFSA (European Food Safety Agency) On the contrary, the authorized dossier for methyloxolane is based on recent studies and has been subject to a complete review by EFSA which concluded in March 2022 that methyloxolane can be used safely for food production.
Methyloxolane is the first alternative to hexane made from 100% plant carbon.
The inclusion of this new solution in the European legislation will allow all players in the oilseeds crush and plant extract industry to develop safer and more environmentally friendly ingredients for their customers.
“We are delighted with this change. Methyloxolane offers a new alternative solution to hexane, complementary to existing solutions, supercritical CO₂ and hot ethanol extraction. Its advantage is that it allows the reuse of production facilities initially designed to extract with hexane, with minor modifications. Our goal is now to support the producers of food oils and natural ingredients to progressively abandon the use of hexane in favour of methyloxolane and thus reduce the exposure of the general population to this toxic product. “Together, we will help preserve our health and our planet” says Laurence Jacques, EcoXtract® Managing Director.
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