Non-GM

Maize millers are committed to sourcing non-gm maize

European maize millers have a strict non-GMO policy. They source non-GM agricultural raw materials and supply foodstuffs that strictly comply with EU food safety and environmental rules.

Considerable resources are invested in ensuring compliance with EU legislation, and demonstrating European maize millers ability to produce “non-GM” foodstuffs in compliance with Regulations (EC) No 1829/2003 and 1830/2003 concerning the traceability and labelling of genetically modified organisms and the traceability of food and feed products produced from genetically modified organisms.

Non-allergenic, vegan and organic

Maize millers respond new consumer expectations like non-allergenic or GM free, vegan and organic

Innovation in the food sector is driven by a concern for the satisfaction and health of those who buy the products. Non-allergenic or GM-free, organic and vegan food are new consumer demands. Although cereals have formed the basis of our diet for thousands of years, there is an increasing awareness of gluten intolerance and food allergies.

In order to improve the quality of life for vulnerable groups of consumers, the European Union has established threshold levels and more extensive labelling requirements, most critically for food allergies. Raw maize is naturally gluten free. It is however a big challenge to keep it free from any gluten or soy cross-contamination throughout the supply chain. Therefore, maize millers invest in a controlled supply chain to avoid all raw materials containing allergens as gluten or soya.

An important parallel development is the interest in organic foods and the increasing popularity of vegan and more plant-based diets. There is much potential in focusing on maize varieties that are not yet widely cultivated.

Safety

Maize millers ensure a high level of safety and quality standards for maize and maize products

The EU has set extremely ambitious food safety and quality standards. Meeting these standards is an absolute priority for Europe’s maize millers and Euromaisiers supports its members in fulfilling this commitment.

Millers active at Euromaisiers share their broad and in-depth expertise in regulatory, technical and environmental issues to work towards the objectives of containing compliance costs and promoting sustainability. Euromaisiers monitors EU legislation constantly and acts as a forum to exchange good practices, providing European Commission services and EFSA with contaminant monitoring reports on a regular basis.

Multidisciplinary teams within the maize millers are responsible for evaluating the mechanism and identifying potential dangers and hazards linked to the maize milling processes (HACCP). Their in-house laboratories closely monitor the quality of both raw maize and maize-based processed ingredients for food and feed.

Nutrition

Maize is a good source of dietary fiber and protein, while being very low in fat and sodium

Being a good source of antioxidant carotenoids, such as lutein and zeaxanthin, maize is also a rich source of many vitamins and minerals, such as phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, zinc, copper, iron and selenium, and also small amounts of potassium and calcium. Maize is a good source of dietary fiber and protein, while being very low in fat and sodium (salt). For these reasons, consumption of whole-grain maize products, such as popcorn or sweet corn, will fit into a healthy diet.