TSI Group, an ingredients developer and manufacturer, has been awarded four internationally-recognised certifications for its GlucosaGreen, its proprietary glucosamine ingredient designed to bolster joint health.
GlucosaGreen recently earned NSF’s Carbon Footprint Statement and ISCC PLUS Certified Sustainability; as well as SGS’s Non-GMO Certification and Vegan Certification (V-Level Criteria).
GlucosaGreen as a more sustainable alternative
While TSI has been a major glucosamine supplier since the late 1990s, the company was later among the first to call attention to the environmental concerns associated with traditional shellfish-derived glucosamine.
“TSI invested in developing more sustainable technology because the shellfish extraction process involves a high volume of chemical solvents, and produces tons of waste water that cannot be recycled,” explains TSI Optimised Ingredients Product Line President
Will Ji.
The four new certifications cover a broad range of concerns:
- Carbon Footprint Verification Statement: Issued by NSF, this is third-party verification of GlucosaGreen’s low carbon emissions data
- ISCC PLUS Certified Sustainability: Issued by NSF and ISCC (International Sustainability and Carbon Certification), ISCC PLUS certification ensures that TSI’s GlucosaGreen production complies with globally recognised sustainability and carbon emission reduction requirements, as well as physical segregation standards, throughout its supply chain.
- Non GMO certification: Issued by SGS after passing an on-site audit, this certification ensures that GlucosaGreen production does not involve genetically modified organisms (GMO) from raw materials through product delivery
- Vegan certification (V-Label Criteria): Issued by SGS after passing an on-site audit, this certification ensures that all stages of GlucosaGreen production meet international standards for vegan and vegetarian products.
“About 80% of TSI’s glucosamine production is now sustainably produced GlucosaGreen. TSI has already worked to get regulatory approval in most markets, making it very easy for brands to make the switch,” stated Ji.
Launched by TSI in 2016, GlucosaGreen is the world’s first commercially manufactured sustainable glucosamine produced by direct fermentation process technology.
Made from corn, GlucosaGreen creates a significantly smaller carbon footprint than traditional shellfish-derived options, as well as a 90% reduction in water and hydrochloric acid input.