An international standards committee approved a new method for assessing hempseed spoilage to better manage food quality and uphold consumer safety.
The ASTM International cannabis committee, a nonprofit organization that develops voluntary consensus standards, approved the new standard to provide guidance for farmers and others that store hempseed for processing into food or food ingredients.
“We want farmers, food companies, consumers and all the links in between to know that this guide is supported by their sector as an achievable and credible way to assess potential spoiling and help their business deliver acceptable products,” ASTM International member Terry Grajczyk, of the Canadian Hemp Trade Alliance, said in a statement.
According to Grajczyk, the new standard outlines procedures for companies to:
- Prepare hempseed for visual color comparison to a color chart.
- Adapt their quality-management practices for stored hempseed.
- Determine alternative uses for hempseed if it is close to spoiling.
“The establishment of clear standards creates common terms of trade in domestic and international markets,” she said.
According to the ASTM, the effort correlates with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal for responsible consumption and production, among others.
ASTM Committee D37 on Cannabis was formed in 2017 to develop standards for cannabis, its products and processes.
