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NIAGRO has a full control throughout the
production process of its products line, which are exclusively prepared
to the consuming market, from the plantation to the final stage
of delivery to market.
The cares for the obtainment of raw material are the main starting
point to the other stages of the process. Thus, Niagro, through
its Research Center, also located in Petrolina and occupying an
area of 36 ha dedicated exclusively to the study on Acerola, develop
researches in terms of productivity, cost, acclimation and reproduction
analysis, as well as other specific facts related to improvement
of product process.
Niagro has developed new species which increased vitamin C contents
in the fruit, as well as the cultivation's productivity rate, as
described in the graph below, according to demands of 2000/2004
period.
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Through current studies in progress, NIAGRO plans for the next years
to increase more and more those vitamin and productivity rates, aiming
at the improvement of productive area and the enlargement of both
domestic and foreign markets.
min@we-sale.com
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Information on Acerola
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| Acerola, also knwon as “Barbados Cherry”
or “Antilles Cherry”, is from the Antilles, in America, and
has established particularly in tropical and subtropical ecosystems
of the American continent, being introduced in Brazil over the
50’s. There is a lot of controversy about the exact year and
place of is introduction. |
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The Acerola cultivation
in Brazil gained economical expression since the 90’s, with a great
demand both for domestic and foreign markets. There was a huge and
disordered growth of the Acerola plantation in Brazil, but due lack
of planning, many growers suffered great losses due to difficulty
of product flow, associated to a poor post-harvest infra-structure
for the fruits, which are highly perishable. As a result, a natural
retraction of plantation area expansion has occurred, and at present
a trend towards stabilization can be noted, followed by a new period
of growth, considering the presence of producers who today are more
conscious and qualified to sustain cultivations in commercial bases.
Nowadays, companies like Niagro, with years of experience, study the
development of new plantation's technological varieties, and hold
own know how to manage their cultivation, thereby assuring both productivity
and quality in their productions.
With the increasing of Acerola consumption all over the world, and
with the diversification of new processes, it became, due to its high
contents of C Vitamin, a widely-used fruit for production of juices,
pulps, blends with other juices, Vitamin C powder and capsules. Moreover,
its pulp is widely used to vitamin enrichment for juices of other
fruits, where ascorbic acid acts also as an antioxidant and a natural
preserving agent. |
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The vitamin C of Acerola
interferes positively on absorption and metabolism of Iron,
present in vegetable foods, of glucose, and other sugars, on
the synthesis of collagen and other components of the conjunctive
tissue, acting on cicatrisation and keeping the integrity of
the skin and mucosa, besides strengthening the immunological
system. |
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The ascorbic acid exerts
effects on dilatation and anticoagulation of blood vessels, on anti-histaminic
and hypo-cholesterol actions, on modifications of the tonus of bronchus
and blood vessels, and acts on the immune answer. Evidences suggest
that there is an important role for the ascorbic acid on cancer prevention,
reduction of cardiac diseases, improvement of the pulmonary function,
prevention of catarata and macula degeneration. There are also evidences
that vitamin C can help increase levels of HDL cholesterol, which
helps eliminate deposits of fat in the arteries, reducing the risk
of cardiac diseases.
Vitamin C is indispensable to the good functioning of the organism.
The lack of this vitamin in the human body may cause a serious disease
whose more common symptoms are: weariness, muscle and articulation
pain, and spontaneous hemorrhage on gum and skin that takes long time
to heal.
Since our body is not able to sinthesize vitamin C, it is fundamental
that it is incorporated by means of daily ingestion of food rich in
this vitamin, like fruits, vegetables, and juices of fruits with high
content of vitamin C, such as Orange, Lemon, Acerola, and some others,
avoiding its deficiency. |
Certifications
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• SGS - HACCP
On January 19, 2004, NIAGRO was certified
by SGS for having complied with requirements and rules by
HACCP - CODEX ALIMENTARIUS and FDA - CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATION,
it being qualified to receive, process, store and dispatch
ripe and unripe acerola pulp, frozen in drums with identification
of all dangers associated with food safety
The HACCP - HAZARD ANALYSIS AND CRITICAL CONTROL POINT system
has been developed to assure the production of consumer's
health-safe food and its principle are used in quality improvement
processes in several countries. This system identifies potential
dangers for food safety, from the acquisition of raw material
up to consumption, by establishing in certain stages (Critical
Control Points) control and monitoring measures which may
assure, at the completion of the process, the obtainment of
a safe and excellent food. The system is recommended by international
agencies and required by several countries. Brazil has already
a legislation for use thereof.
In addition to guarantee a better degree of safety to the
food produced, application of HACCP system facilitates work
by managers and their supervisors, as well as directs work
by food processors. |
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• SGF – IRMA
The Fruchtsaft-Industrie der Schutzgemeinschaft (Association
for Protection of Fruit Juice Industry, SGF) is an effective
industry-standard association with strong adjustment, whose
main purposes are to assure compliance with lawful and industrial
standards as for quality and safety, with a fair competition
in fruit juice market.
For benefit of all participants and consumers of the market,
SGF certification assures:
- Authentic and safe products, with proper quality.
In details:
- Non-tampered products - without use or addition of substances
which are illegal or improper for consumption.
- Products without errors, which are under the terms of contamination
risks (e.g.: pesticides, heavy metals or production wastes),
hygienic and microbial products, as well as sensory quality.
- Products meeting legal and industrial quality standards
as defined.
- Correctly labeled products.
Through permanent inspections to the plant and analysis of
our products, SGF recognizes Niagro as a certified partner,
which protects the quality of its product and consumers' increasing
safety.
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• KOSHER CERTIFICATION
KOSHER certification represents an agreement between Rabbinate
and Niagro, aiming to produce products to KOSHER consumer.
For such a purpose, an agreement with permanent supervisions
is required, with or without prior notice by Rabin inspector.
KOSHER symbol on our products, as well as the Certification,
indicate that our production condition is permanently monitored
by Rabin Supervisors, since this symbol is recognized by KOSHER
consumer and indicates and assures him that the product is
under the most demanding parameters.
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