Nortap™ plugs by JIOrings now hold certification from the BfR
The Federal Institute for risk assessment (Bundesinstitut für Risikobewertung*) is the German institution that aims to provide scientific advice regarding food safety issues, as well as product safety, contaminants in the food chain, the wellbeing of animals, and protection of consumers’ health.
Specifically, the BfR defines the conditions to prevent the migration of substances that present a hazard to health, which can arise from the use of materials in contact with the foodstuffs.
Materials that come into contact with foodstuffs must not release substances into the foods that pose a hazard to the health of consumers and also must not harm nor affect the smell or flavour of the foodstuffs.
In our case, the silicone plugs are in direct contact with the wine during the manufacturing process and, as well as not allowing the migration to the wine of substances that could present a hazard to health, must not have any effect on the flavour or smell. With this certification awarded by the INTERTEK CONSUMER GOODS GMBH laboratory, it is scientifically proven that Nortap™ plugs comply with all the requirements of the BfR, making them an absolutely safe option for use in casks.
Whilst it is true that our plugs already held approvals from the FDA (Food and Drug Administration), we wanted to go one step further in terms of food safety. The tests required for Nortap™ de JIOrings were carried out specifically for the type of application (plugs for casks), medium, and time in contact with the wine. All of the results show (as can be seen in the report) that our plugs are suitable to come into contact with foodstuffs, thus complying with REGULATION (EC) No. 1935/2004 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND COUNCIL, from the 27th of October, 2004, regarding materials and articles intended to come into contact with food and repealing Directives 80/590/EEC and 89/109/EEC.
Our raw material (VMQ 40 FDA) and method of manufacturing the plugs is the same as always but at JIOrings we wanted to invest in this new certification in order to provide even greater peace of mind for the wine sector. We understand that in a sector where even the smallest details are taken care of, it is necessary to make purchases being absolutely certain that nothing that comes into contact with the wine is going to affect either the manufacturing process or its quality.
* Henceforth referred to as BfR.
**This information does not release the end client from their obligation to check their validity and test our plugs for suitability for the anticipated use. The storage, application, and use of our plugs is out of our control and is, therefore, the exclusive responsibility of the end client.
Download BfR for Nortap™ Plugs, here.