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What is PAS 235 - Provitamin A carotenoids (PVAC) about?
A conventional plant breeding process has been developed that results in increased vitamin A content in maize grain, cassava and sweet potato roots. To accelerate its adoption by crop breeders and the food industry, PAS 235:2022 is a new specification that sets the target vitamin level required for the designation “nutrient enriched”.
Who is PAS 235 - Provitamin A carotenoids (PVAC) for?
- Buyers/procurement in the private sector or public sector food procurement
- Food manufacturers of any size and region to ensure a guaranteed supply chain of nutritionally superior grain
- Public health nutritionists, government health departments and food standards agencies to facilitate monitoring and control
- Seed testing laboratories
- Food retailers to provide assurance of supply
PAS 235 is primarily aimed at developing countries, i.e. Africa, South and Southeast Asia
What does PAS 235 - Provitamin A carotenoids (PVAC) cover?
PAS 235 specifies requirements for provitamin A enriched maize grain (Zea mays), cassava root (Manihot esculenta) and sweet potato root (Ipomoea batatas) intended as food for human consumption.
It includes requirements for:
- Class levels of PVAC concentration
- Sampling guidance
- Packaging
- Labelling
NOTE: PAS 235 applies only to PVAC enriched crops produced from seed, stems and vines developed using breeding methods, or agronomic practices that promote the accumulation of nutrients, such as fertilization. This PAS doesn’t apply to crops that have undergone post-harvest fortification.
Why should you use PAS 235 - Provitamin A carotenoids (PVAC)?
By specifying targets for the level of vitamin A required for a crop to be designated nutrient enriched, PAS 235 sets a transparent agreed standard. As a result:
- Farmers can verify and demonstrate that their output has increased vitamin A content, helping them trade
- Governments and their agencies have a tool with which to monitor and assure supply and improve population nutrition, health, and well-being
- Food manufacturers and retailers can verify increased vitamin A content and improve the nutritional properties of their products
