'The only hurdle we face is the regulatory hurdle': photopurification pioneer SurePure

03-Sep-2015 - Last updated on 07-Sep-2015 at 10:35 GMT

Only regulation hinders widespread use of photopurification technology in the dairy sector, says SurePure.

SurePure's Turbulator photopurification technology uses ultra-violet (UV-C) light to purify microbiologically sensitive liquids, including milk, wine, and fruit juice.

According to SurePure, the technology deactivates viruses, bacteria, yeasts and mould, and can extend the shelf life of milk by at least 30%.

Milk passed through the non-thermal Turbulator technology also "retains all its natural value," SurePure claims.

Despite such results, SurePure's photopurification technology is yet to receive regulatory approval for use as an alternative to pasteurization in many of the world's largest milk markets.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) granted SurePure’s photopurification technology approval as an alternative process to thermal pasteurization for milk and other dairy products in July 2013.

SurePure continues, however, to seek dairy approval on home soil in South Africa, from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and is awaiting novel foods approval from the European Commission (EC).

“The only hurdle we face is the regulatory hurdle,” a spokesperson for the South African company told DairyReporter.

“The technology is on trend with the consumer movement to healthier, non-thermally processed products, where the product retains its natural state and provides the benefits nature intended.”

“We have had a very positive response from the dairy market across the globe, as they embrace new technologies,” she said. “They are constrained by regulations as to the implementation of the technology.”

“In numerous jurisdictions these parties' influence is assisting in having the regulations amended to allow the use of the SurePure technology in their sector.”

EU and US interest

Last year, SurePure's Turbulator technology was been trialled by dairies in South Africa and India

In June 2014, it published the preliminary results of the commercial application of its photopurification technology at a South African cheese plant.

Commercial-appetite-for-SurePure-photopurification-growing-with-data_strict_xxl — SurePure's photopurification unit was trialled at Oak Spring Dairy, South Africa.

It later told DairyReporter that the "commercial appetite" for Turbulator would increase as data supporting the technology's safety and benefits grows.

Later that year, in December, commercial trials of its photopurification technology began at a number of Indian dairies.

Now, the spokesperson added, dairies in the European Union (EU) and United States have come calling.

“We are working with a large UK dairy, that is instrumental in the EU novel food application,” the spokesperson said.

“A number of major US companies have approached us; however they cannot implement the technology until regulatory approvals are granted.”