Certification to raise profile of Tasmanian hemp food products

By Lachlan Bennett
Source: theadvocate.com.au






Opportunities: Phil Warner, managing director of Ecofibre Industries, which has been growing hemp in Tasmania since 1999. Picture: Scott Gelston

Certification to help market hemp food products grown in Tasmania could be introduced in time for next season.

Safety and quality would be two key criteria of the certification system, which the Industrial Hemp Association of Tasmania plans to develop in consultation with industry players.

President Tim Schmidt said certification would create quality assurance and a brand “that denotes food safety and great taste”.

“The other thing we need to do is expound the virtues of the product itself in that it’s a highly nutritious food,” Mr Schmidt said.

“This time next year you could well find cereal boxes in the supermarket saying they’ve got hemp.”

The future looks bright for the hemp industry following Friday’s decision to allow low-THC hemp to be legally designated as a food.

Hemp production in Tasmania has doubled in the past year from 150 to 300 hectares.

The industry could expand to 1000 hectares in the near future, according to president of the Tasmanian Farmers and Growers Association Wayne Johnston.

Mr Johnston supports industrial hemp certification provided it’s developed using a whole-of-industry approach.

“We need to differentiate ourselves from mainland Australia and we do that well most of the time,” he said.

Ecofibre Industries has grown hemp in Tasmania since 1999. 

Last season it produced 110 hectares, predominately in the state’s north.

Managing director Phil Warner said any certification effort would need to be industry-led.

“We don’t want legislative impediments, we want constructive assistance (from government),” he said. 

Mr Warner said it would be good to have a round-table discussion involving government and key stakeholders to explore how best to capitalise on the approval of low-THC food products.

“It you’re promoting a quality Tasmanian food product, you’re also promoting tourism to Tasmania,” he said.

Ecofibre with The Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture is undertaking research to develop high-yielding, low-THC industrial hemp varieties suited to Tasmanian growing conditions.

Mr Warner said projects like this could help Tasmania catch up with more mature hemp markets abroad.

“If bureaucrats embrace this and think hard and outside of the box, they will come up with some great opportunities that will help this industry,” he said.

Primary Industries and Water minister Jeremy Rockliff said allowing low-THC hemp in food could open new markets.

Source: plantbased-pixie.com

BREAKFAST RECIPES SMOOTHIES SWEET

MANGO AND HEMP SMOOTHIE

I often get asked if I use or recommend protein powders, and I think it’s almost impossible to give out blanket advice. Personally, most of the time I tend to get my protein from foods like beans or eggs, and it’s not something I tend to worry about too much, but sometimes it’s nice and convenient to reach for the powdered stuff.

Scroll down to the bottom if you just want to get straight to the recipe

So I gave the Linwoods Hemp Protein + with Flaxseed, Bio Cultures, Vitamin D and Co-Enzyme Q10 a go. And I like it. Normally I really dislike protein powders that add a whole bunch of unnecessary other powdered ingredients to ‘healthify’ it in some way, but this one hits the mark. Here’s why:

Hemp protein is a great alternative to those who, for whatever reason, choose not to eat whey protein. It is not classified as a “complete protein”, but as long as you’re getting other sources of protein throughout the day such as beans and pulses then it’s all good!

In the UK we have a bit of a constipation problem; there’s no nice way to put it. And we all need more fibre in our diets to reach the target of 30g. Flaxseed is a great way to get extra fibre into your meal, plus it’s also a plant source of omega-3, again something vegans and vegetarians especially often need a hand with. I recommend flaxseed to all my clients who don’t eat fish.

Following on from that, we’re learning so much more about the gut microbiome every day, and the link our gut bacteria has with so many different aspects of our health. While not everyone may need an extra dose of good bacteria (and I can’t say for sure how many of these will actually reach your gut rather than being digested in the stomach, this video explains a bit more), it can be extremely beneficial for those who are on antibiotics.

Coenzyme Q10 is (as it says) a coenzyme that is naturally occurring in most animals, as it plays an absolutely vital role in energy production in your cells. Supplementation in healthy individuals hasn’t been shown to have conclusive preventative effects in terms of things like heart disease [link], but what is interesting is that it might be useful to individuals who take statins, as these drugs reduce the amount of Q10 levels in the blood quite considerably [link].

Vitamin D is one I’ve talked about in the past [link], as it’s now recommended that everyone in the UK takes a supplement in the winter months. Everyone. And if you’re spending all your daylight hours inside then you need to get your vitamin D in even in summer.

So if you’re going to add some extra stuff to your protein powders these are some pretty good ones, in my opinion. Now for the recipe!

Serves: 1

Ingredients:

1 banana (100g)
100g frozen mango
100mL milk of choice (I used oat milk for this)
30g Linwoods Hemp+ protein (or use 1 tbsp flaxseed + 1 tbsp hemp seeds)

What to do:

• Add to your blender and blend up nicely until smooth

Growing an industry: Businessman nets permit to research hemp in north country

Source: watertowndailytimes.com

When an entrepreneur says he wants to invest in a new industry that would likely boost economic growth in the north country, we should welcome his efforts with open arms.

The good news is that Marc P. Privitera has been encouraged by the state to do just this. He owns a business development firm called PreProcess Inc., and he plans to use the resources of this region to create a hemp processing industry.

Mr. Privitera and five other companies were recently issued permits through the Industrial Hemp Agricultural Research Pilot Program. This will allow him to research industrial hemp processing, manufacturing and marketing.

He intends to plant hemp seeds in June at a 1-acre plots in the areas of Binghamton, Cobleskill, Copenhagen and Mannsville. Based on the research he conducts using the hemp grown at these sites, he hopes to construct a hemp processing hub in 2018 near Interstate 81.

Mr. Privitera has the credentials to make this idea succeed; he is a chemical engineer who specializes in hemp growth. His California firm is “a project leadership, process development and process engineering firm that delivers customized technical solutions to new entrepreneurial efforts as well as established industrial operating companies,” according to information from the company’s website. “We have experience with projects ranging in size from hundreds of thousands of dollars to billions of dollars in the mining, refining, food, pharma, consumer product, water, wastewater, energy and renewables markets.”

Last year, Mr. Privitera was awarded a fellowship with the American Institute of Chemical Engineers. He also was appointed to the Canadian International Minerals Technical Advisory Board. PreProcess Inc. won the 2010 Technology Pioneering award at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

Established in 2016, the state’s Industrial Hemp Agricultural Research Pilot Program was expanded to include both higher education institutions and private entities. It allows entrepreneurs such as Mr. Privitera to partner with colleges and universities to explore the possibilities of hemp through research.

The north country is ideal for growing hemp. The plant tolerates colder climates, requires no pesticides or herbicides, and needs only moderate amounts of water and fertilizer.

Hemp is regularly used to create many different items. These include clothes, cardboard and plastic — all biodegradable. Its seeds can be added to food items to boost their nutritional value, and the CBD oil from hemp can be used for medical purposes.

Mr. Privitera approached officials with Jefferson Community College about a potential collaboration, but they declined his offer. JCC President Carol C. McCoy said such an alliance would not fit in with the school’s academic programming as no one on faculty has expertise in this area, stating that the school’s decision was not based on the plant’s social stigma.

While hemp is a form of cannabis, its THC levels are much lower than that of marijuana. These levels are too low to have the impairing effect on individuals as experienced when smoking or eating marijuana. But many people continue to link hemp with marijuana, a misperception we must move beyond to enhance economic opportunities.

It’s good the state has issued Mr. Privitera a permit to begin his work. We hope that JCC reconsiders its position and takes advantages of the possibilities such a partnership would present. The potential for commercial success in this endeavor is real, but it will only happen if we embrace the opportunities available.

Hemp Seed Sources for Planting

Source: industrialhemp.ces.ncsu.edu/

Founder’s Hemp

Hemp Genetics International (Canadian seed source)

Palomo Farms Newsletter Vol 1 Issue 1 (NC source of European seed) webpage

Parkland Industrial Hemp Growers (Canadian seed source)

Schiavi Seeds (European source)

List of recommended hemp varieties in Canada

list of hemp varieties for Kentucky (includes prohibited and varieties of concern based on THC levels)

This list is for your information and research purposes. Neither the NC Cooperative Extension service, the NC Industrial Hemp Commission nor the NC Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services endorse any of the seed sources.

To purchase seed you must have a permit from the North Carolina Industrial Hemp Commission to grow hemp as well as a DEA permit to import seed. The seed prices I have been quoted from various sources range from 2.50 to 20 $ per pound. Certified seed should have the following information on the label:

i. The name or kind of seed present; (i.e. Hemp)

ii. The variety name or the letters VNS (variety not stated)

iii. A lot number

iv. Origin (State/country)

v. Percentage by weight of all weed seeds.

vi. The name and rate of occurrence of all restricted noxious weed seeds. vii. Percentage by weight of inert matter

viii. Percentage of germination, exclusive of hard or dormant seed.

ix. Percentage of hard or dormant seeds, if present.

x. The calendar month and year that the test was completed to determine germination percentages

Hemp 100ml Paint Sample

Hemp Product
Source: grahambrown.com/uk/



Hemp 100ml Paint Sample

Detailshttps://www.grahambrown.com/uk/hemp-100ml-paint-sample/102556.html
SKU: 102556
Promotions

£3.00

★★★★★
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Variations
This creamy coloured paint will bring a warm and cheerful feel to your home. It works paticularly well in traditional kitchens and cosy living rooms.

"Straight" Hemp Eco Jeans

Hemp Product
Source: respecterre.com

Reference: 6580AN

Condition: New product

J4-6580 AN

Hemp

"STRAIGHT" cut

You requested it since a long time, here they are, the ECO-JEANS, made of hemp and organic cotton, in the color BLUE! 

Improved model, perfect size, slightly stretchy for ultimate comfort ... thank you so much to help protect our beautiful planet

Color: BLUE or black 

XS=28 - S=30 - M=32 - L=34  - XL=36 - XXL=38

ECO-FIBER USED TO MAKE THIS PRODUCT

hemp 53%, organic cotton 44%, spandex 3%

A baby step when we could have had a giant leap forward

Source: mailchi.mp

HEMP FLASH
Press Release - Hemp seed foods
1 May 2017

NZ Hemp Industries Association Inc (1997) issue the following press release on the topic of leaglising hemp seed food

The Chairman of the NZHIA, Mack McIntosh expresses his extreme disappointment following an agreement on Friday 28th April between New Zealand and Australian food safety authorities that see hemp seed legalised as food in New Zealand. "After 18 years of consultation, the Food Ministers are still treating us like a drug crop and only allowing hemp seed foods. This is a massive missed economic opportunity.   In a short time we could have been leading the world!  And all sorts of industries would have developed not just in the seed and grain industry," says McIntosh. The current decision means that we will not have access to the food and beverages from hemp leaves and flowering tops.  "The high value nutrition potential is massive, phenols to fragrances are available from this one arable crop and our farmers want access to the revenue streams from the whole plant, not just the seed," says McIntosh. The seed and grain industry will scale up to meet the consumer demand and bring jobs and investment into regional New Zealand. But the iHemp industry could be much bigger if we include the food and beverages produced from the 20% of the crop left in the field as leaf and flowering tops. "This is a brand new opportunity for farmers to grow a crop and the region to significantly add value by processing the iHemp into high value nutrition hemp products.  But 80% of the potential will be missed, because iHemp is still considered to be like growing a drug," says McIntosh. The NZHIA is well positioned to represent the industry on the cross-agency working group which is being set up.  "We've worked with the Government in the past on the inter-agency working group which came up with the iHemp regulations in 2006 so it makes sense for us to be part of these discussions," says McIntosh. For further comment please contact: Mack McIntosh - Chairman 03 415 8888 Richard Barge - Treasurer 021 706 690 Chris Woodney - Government Liaison 027 348 8842  The problems with only allowing hemp foods   Hemp seeds are a super food, Omega 3,6,9, vitamins, amino acids and good fats all in a from your body likes, it is going to be terrific for consumers to have another plant based choice which can be made in to a huge range of foods.   But what about foods and beverages from other parts of the plant specifically leaf and flower. High value nutrition products processed from the phenols, terpenes, flavonoids in the flowering tops will not be available.  No development work will be done in these fields, this will cost us dearly in being at the forefront of this emerging global industry. So what can we do:  Hemp seeds can be used as an ingredient or made into 3 types of foods: Oil - max THC 10 mg/kg Beverages - max THC 0.2 mg/kg Any other product, extracted or derived from seeds - max THC 5 mg/kg  THC is the psychoactive cannabinoid in Cannabis.  The other 60+cannabinoids are non psychoactive and the regulations accept that these are naturally occurring. The unnecessary parts of the variation to the Food Code Having identified the problem as THC they have set limits as above.  But they also voted to control other "safe" cannabinioids, especially Cannabidiol (CBD),  the "Anti THC" cannabinoid. by placing a 7.5% limit on CBD, where will it end? No images of leaves or cannabis plants will be allowed in advertising only pictures of seeds will be permitted. You can't mention cannabis or marijuana or words with similar meaning.in your advertising or packaging Can't mention nutrition and health claims of CBD The 80/20 situation The minister predicts a $20 million dollar industry for hemp seed foods, this is only 20% of the potential hemp FOOD industry which could be worth $100 million If the Australian prediction is correct hemp seed could be worth 1 billion with the total hemp food market being a potential 5 billion and that would just be the beginning for the Australasian industry. Who Misses out  Consumers in Australia and New Zealand who don't have access to the foods and supplements that they are demanding    The background and workability of the variation to the Food Code A problem for consumers who will not have the freedom to access hemp seed (in fact all hemp foods) as they do in international markets. They will be deprived of superior health gains from this high value nutritional product. Commencement in 6 months, but already Ministry of Health are signaling it will take longer.  Assuming a gazetted date in May we could know by November, which would be to late for the 2017/2018 season. But we should be ready to scale up in 2018/2019  Why a control on CBD levels, yet we can't put this information on a label. packaging or marketing Don't mention THC yet the ministers press release mentioned THC many times, this is a mixed message.  THC is not something we want to advertise due to negative connotations. The NZHIA are very disappointed that the Food Ministers have not been honest about the safety and benefits of hemp foods.  And did not take into account the fact and evidence based approach they say they follow MOH continue to treat us like a drug instead of just another arable crop. There is nothing dangerous in hemp foods!  What are they scared of and why won't they support this important healthy food source!! We could have been a world leader but for now we only have access to part of the industry.