<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>>

GFCO certification requires ongoing testing and random product testing from
point of purchase as part of the certification process. Eco Planet made GFCO
aware of testing by GFWD in both situations. GFCO worked closely with Eco
Planet in these situations to do further investigation. GFCO and Eco Planet
took the following actions:

 

1. Product testing - All testing is done using the R-Biopharm r-5 Elisa
Sandwich. This is the same testing method used by GFWD. Labs are instructed
to use the testing procedures as provided in the kit insert, without
modifications.

 

a. 2011 - Retained samples by the manufacturer (the same lots tested by
GFWD) were sent to two labs for testing. Each sample was tested twice, as
outlined in the GFWD. 

- Testing results by FARRP (6/16/2011): BLQ (below level of quantification)
using the R-Biopharm kit, and BLQ using the Neogen gluten kit. 

- Seven tests by Neogen (6/16/2011): showed No Detectable Amount.

 

b. 2012 - GFCO purchased product (06/12 Lot 13) from local retailers and has
sent this to the lab for testing. Quantitative lab results are pending. 

 

c. Eco Planet (produced in a dedicated GF plant) provided the following
product samples for testing (produced after additional changes to processing
were implemented). The samples were sent to two labs, including the lab used
by GFWD. 

- 4/11/2012 Bia Diagnostics: two samples with results of < 5 ppm gluten

- 4/11/2012 FARRP testing: two samples. One sample tested at 9-ppm gluten
and the second at Below Levels of Quantification

 

2. Since GFWD's initial testing of products in 2011, processes and
procedures have been enhanced in the production Eco Planet products. The
product that GFWD tested in April 2012 was produced before the new
procedures were put into place. All testing by the Company since the new
processes were implemented continue to show results below 10 ppm, the GFCO
standards.

 

3. GFCO has purchased product (07/13 Lot 02) today (4/20) that was produced
after the changes were implemented. This product is being sent to two labs
for testing using the same process listed above.

GFCO and Eco Planet cannot explain why GFWD testing results are not
replicated by other labs, using the same testing method and the same lot
samples. In a scientific panel discussion of the testing results by GFWD,
GFCO, FARRP and Neogen in 2011, the conclusion of the laboratory scientists
is that GFWD hit a hot spot. They further concluded that based on the
testing records provided by the company, a review of operational procedures,
and additional testing performed by other labs, that the problem identified
by GFWD was not representative of the product as a whole. Eco Planet however
reviewed their internal processes and added additional procedures to assure
consumers safety.

 

In a white paper by GFCO, the following example is used to describe hot
spots. 

Have you ever played in the sand at the beach? You shove your hand deep into
the sand, grabbing a handful and pulling it out to see what is in it.
Sometimes you find something, but most times, you do not. That is what
testing food is like...Companies might take product from the beginning,
middle and end of a 5000-pound run for testing. Sometimes these samples are
blended together to make a composite sample before testing. Composite
samples are a representative sample of the entire production lot. Testing is
a measurement of a single point in time... it is a snap shot of a larger
picture.

There are a number of factors that may influence testing results -
contamination of the sample in preparation for testing, performing the test
with different extraction methods than endorsed by the kit manufacturer, lab
technician error, chemical reactive interference with the testing procedure,
etc. The safety of products must be based on multiple testing to get an
accurate picture of a product. When a test result comes back out of range
for GFCO certified products, GFCO requests the lab to run the test again and
sends additional samples to other labs. GFCO contacts the Company to review
their on-site testing records and to establish a corrective action plan.
Corrective action plans may include increased testing, additional audits,
product holds or requests for recalls and consumer notifications. In this
situation, GFCO testing and company records support the product safety

. 

GFCO is dedicated to consumer protection. We are confident in the extra
steps used by Eco Planet to ensure the safety of their products.

 

 

Cynthia Kupper, RD | Executive Director

t: +253 833 6655 ext 104 | m: +253 217 9973 |

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