Gadot Biochemical addresses chlorate concerns with new mineral grades for infant food

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Gadot Biochemical Industries (Haifa Bay, Israel) has developed a manufacturing process to make special grades of Tri Potassium Citrate and Tri Sodium Citrate to enable customers to meet stringent requirements for chlorate content in infant food in accordance with Regulation No.396/2005. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) found that current levels of chlorate in drinking water and foods were too high and could negatively impact iodine uptake, particularly in infants and children. Chlorate originates from chlorine disinfectants widely and legally used in water treatment and food processing. Gadot’s new manufacturing process provides mineral ingredients below 0.1 mg/kg of chlorate.

“Repeated exposure to chlorate can result in iodine intake inhibition in humans,” said Ohad Cohen, chief executive officer of Gadot Biochemical Industries, in a press release. “This inhibition can cause temporary changes to thyroid hormone levels in high-risk groups. The inhibition of iodine intake through chlorate is reversible.”

“It is our belief that our manufacturing process will contribute to safer and healthier infant nutrition globally and encourage infant food producers based in the EU to follow this regulation,” Cohen added. A recent market report from Report Linker states that the baby food and infant formula market will grow by $22.7 billion, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.4% to reach $55.7 billion by 2025.