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Purity Protocol

What is Purity Protocol?

Avena Purity Protocol was established by pedigreed seed growers to grow and process clean gluten-free oats. The goal is for individuals with celiac disease, gluten sensitivities and wheat allergies to be able to source food and beverages that are safe to consume.

Avena is the industry leader in sourcing and processing gluten-free Purity Protocol oats. The Avena Purity Protocol system is a Start Safe, Stay Safe approach, developed over more than a decade, to guarantee certified gluten-free pure oat ingredients.

farmer inspecting purity protocol oat field

Why is Purity Protocol Needed?

    Though oats are a naturally gluten-free grain, they are easily contaminated through contact with gluten-containing grains (wheat, barley, rye) and grain dust at any stage, from the field, in processing, or during transport to manufacturing of food and beverages. The Avena Purity Protocol system minimizes gluten contamination risk and produces high-quality, certified, gluten-free oat ingredients.

    purity protocol oat flakes

    Avena has you covered every step of the way

    The Faces of Avena Purity Protocol

    The success of Avena Purity Protocol relies on the collaboration, contributions and accountability of each member of the supply chain. Since 2008, Avena Purity Protocol has developed as an integrated approach to preventing contamination throughout the entire supply chain. This multi-layered strategy is grounded in the knowledge that no single control step is adequate to control gluten-contamination. Rather, success lies in multiple controls, both physical and chemical.

    Purity Protocol Ingredient Distribution Graphic - Vertical Purity Protocol Ingredient Distribution Graphic - Horizontal

    How does it work?

    Purity Protocols start with seed selection and incorporate a system of checks and balances from the field, to delivery and milling. This allows oats to remain gluten-free. Partnerships with farmers are key to these protocols, as are seed stock purity and criteria for growing, harvesting, transporting, storing and   processing oats.

    The minimum requirements for Purity Protocol are set out in the article Definition of the “Purity Protocol” for Producing Gluten-Free Oats* published in Cereal Chemistry, January, 2017. This definition stops short of incorporating gluten-testing protocols throughout the system or of final product.

    Avena Purity Protocol

    Setting Higher Standards for Purity Protocol Oats

    More Than GFCO Certified Gluten Free

    Though national standards for certification set higher maximum limits, gluten in Avena Purity Protocol oat ingredients is virtually undetectable at <5ppm*. This is an important distinction for people with celiac disease. Any amount is too much when keeping in mind the cumulative effects of gluten ingested over time.

    We have long-term partnerships with farmers with mandatory isolation strips around the field where no gluten crop can be grown for the last three years. Strict quality control continues as oats are tracked throughout all farm operations, transportation, and processing at Avena’s certified gluten-free plants. Rigorous sampling occurs in every hopper of incoming oats, the cleaning plant, and the finished ingredient at the oat processing plants. Our Canadian oats are traceable right back to the farm and field so manufacturers and consumers can have full confidence in our purity protocol claims.

    Avena Purity Protocol Oats

    Avena Purity Protocol Moves Beyond the Minimum Requirements of Purity Protocol

    • Sampling size and frequency of testing protocols are rigorous.
    • Each load delivered to Avena by farmers is sampled and tested for purity and cleanliness, to rule out contamination with gluten.
    • Additional testing parameters include milling quality, size and moisture.
    • Every tote of each lot of final product is tested, with a lot being a day’s production.
    • We use the R5-ELISA method for gluten-testing, the industry gold standard.
    • We operate a dedicated gluten-free facility which incorporates state-of-the-art pasteurizing equipment – providing a validated kill step for ingredients that are RTE.
    • We ensure that oats are free of all labeled allergens, heavy metals, pesticide residues, glyphosate and mycotoxins.
    • We include grower updates and training, customer and farmer networking events, and contracts that include an Avena Purity Protocol premium.

    Learn more: Avena FYI – Purity Protocol

    Footnote
    1. Allred LK, Kupper C, Iverson G, Perry TB, Smith S, Stephen R. 2017. Definition of the “Purity Protocol” for Producing Gluten-Free Oats. Cereal Chem. 94(3):377-379. doi: 10.1094/CCHEM-01-17-0017-VO.
    2. Avena oat ingredients are <5ppm gluten with the exception of oat flours (<10ppm)