Frequently Asked Questions¶
Raw Material & Sourcing¶
Q: Where do you source your flaxseed? A: Primary sourcing regions include Canada (Saskatchewan and Manitoba), Kazakhstan, and select European growers. Canadian flax accounts for approximately 60% of volume due to its consistently high ALA content (55–57%). All suppliers are audited annually and must comply with our supplier approval program.
Q: What varieties do you process? A: Brown flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum L.) is our standard variety. Golden flaxseed is available on request. All flaxseed processed is non-GMO. Varieties are selected for ALA omega-3 content, seed size uniformity, and hull/kernel yield characteristics.
Q: What is the typical harvest season, and how does it affect availability? A: Northern Hemisphere harvest runs August–October. Crop quality reports are available from July onward. We contract 80% of annual volume pre-harvest to secure pricing. Spot availability is lowest March–May.
Q: How is raw material quality verified at receiving? A: Every inbound lot is sampled and tested for moisture (≤8.0%, AOAC 925.10), protein (18–24%, AOAC 984.13), fat (38–44%, AOAC 920.39), foreign material (≤0.5%), and visual inspection for mold, insects, and off-odours. Reject criteria: moisture >10%, visible mold, or live insect infestation.
Products & Specifications¶
Q: What are the five flaxseed fractions, and what distinguishes them? A: FlaxseedPro offers five structurally-defined fractions: Hull (outer seed coat, TDF 70–80%, SDG lignans 7–10 mg/g), Kernel (dehulled seed, protein 30–35%, fat 40–45%), Powder (milled kernel or whole seed, full-fat or defatted, 20–100 mesh), Gum (aqueous-extracted polysaccharide, viscosity 500–5000 cP at 1%), and Oil (cold-pressed or refined, ALA 55–60%). Each fraction has a dedicated technical specification document with complete compositional, physical, and microbiological data.
Q: What is the difference between flaxseed hull and kernel? A: The hull is the fibrous outer layer (30–35% of seed mass) containing 70–80% dietary fiber and 7–10 mg/g SDG lignans. The kernel is the lipid- and protein-rich inner fraction (60–65% of seed mass) containing 40–45% fat and 30–35% protein. They are separated by mechanical dehulling and air classification.
Q: What is flaxseed gum, and what are its primary applications? A: Flaxseed gum (mucilage) is a heteropolysaccharide complex extracted from the hull. It is composed of 7 monosaccharides (xylose 30–38%, galactose 20–28%, rhamnose 12–18%), exhibits pseudoplastic rheology (n = 0.3–0.5), and functions as a clean-label emulsifier, thickener, and water binder. Primary applications: gluten-free baking, plant-based beverages, salad dressings, and meat analogue binders.
Q: What grades of flaxseed oil do you offer? A: Two grades: Cold-Pressed (FSP-OIL-001) — mechanically extracted below 40°C, FFA ≤0.5%, PV ≤2.0 meq/kg, smoke point 107°C; and Physically Refined (FSP-OIL-002) — deodorized for neutral flavour, FFA ≤0.1%, PV ≤1.0 meq/kg, smoke point 225°C. Both grades contain ALA 55–60% and tocopherols 800–1200 mg/kg.
Q: What is the difference between full-fat and defatted flaxseed powder? A: Full-fat powder (FSP-PDR-001) retains native oil (35–42% fat, protein 20–25%) and is suited for bakery applications where fat contributes to texture. Defatted powder (FSP-PDR-002) has oil removed by pressing (6–12% fat, protein 40–50%) and is preferred for protein enrichment where higher protein concentration and longer shelf life (12 vs 6 months ambient) are required.
Processing¶
Q: What is the difference between cold-pressed and solvent-extracted flaxseed oil? A: Cold pressing uses mechanical screw pressing below 40°C, yielding 32–38% oil with full flavour and antioxidant retention. Solvent extraction (hexane, 55–60°C) achieves >99% oil recovery from press cake, producing defatted meal (<1.5% residual oil). The solvent-extracted oil is refined and blended with cold-pressed oil or sold separately for non-food applications.
Q: What is cryogenic grinding, and when would I need it? A: Cryogenic grinding uses liquid nitrogen (−150°C) to embrittle the seed before milling. It limits product temperature rise to <10°C (vs. 15–25°C for ambient hammer milling), preserving volatile aroma compounds and preventing lipid oxidation. Peroxide values are <1.0 meq/kg (vs. ≤2.0 for ambient). Recommended for high-ALA full-fat powders where oxidative stability is critical.
Q: Can you customise particle size for powder products? A: Yes. Six standard mesh grades are available: 20, 30, 40, 60, 80, and 100 mesh. Custom specifications within ±1 mesh tolerance require minimum 5 MT per order. Particle size distribution (D10, D50, D90 by laser diffraction) is provided on the COA.
Q: What is the dehulling efficiency, and how is it controlled? A: Our centrifugal impact dehuller achieves 85–90% dehulling efficiency at 3 MT/hr. The hull and kernel fractions are separated by zigzag air classification (terminal velocity differential: hull 1–2 m/s, kernel 4–6 m/s) followed by gravity separation. Kernel purity is ≥95%, hull purity ≥92%, checked every 2 hours.
Quality & Certifications¶
Q: What food safety certifications does FlaxseedsPro hold? A: HACCP (Codex Alimentarius, 5 CCPs), ISO 22000:2018, FSSC 22000 (GFSI-benchmarked), USDA Organic, EU Organic equivalency, Non-GMO Project Verified, Kosher (Orthodox Union), and Gluten-Free (GFCO). All certifications are current and audited annually by SGS or equivalent third-party bodies.
Q: What testing is performed on every batch? A: Every finished product batch is tested for moisture, protein, fat, ALA omega-3 content, peroxide value (oil products), and microbiology (standard plate count, yeast & mold, coliforms, E. coli, Salmonella). A Certificate of Analysis (COA) is provided with every shipment. Full heavy metal (As, Pb, Cd, Hg) and pesticide residue screening is performed quarterly.
Q: How do you validate cleaning between product runs? A: Allergen changeovers require ATP swabbing (acceptance ≤30 RLU for product contact surfaces) and ELISA testing for the target allergen. The oil line undergoes a 7-phase CIP cycle (alkali → intermediate rinse → acid → final rinse → sanitize). Environmental monitoring covers Zone 1–4 with 20 swab points per week.
Q: Are your products traceable from seed to shipment? A: Yes. Full batch traceability is maintained through a lot numbering system incorporating supplier, receipt date, production line, and production date. One-step-back (supplier → our receiving) and one-step-forward (our shipment → customer) traceability can be completed within 2 hours. Annual mock recalls are conducted with a 4-hour completion target.
Technical Applications¶
Q: What are the recommended usage levels for each flaxseed fraction? A: General guidelines: Hull: 2–10% in bakery for fibre enrichment (adjust water +6–8× hull weight). Kernel: 5–20% in bakery or as oil press feedstock. Powder (full-fat): 5–15% in bakery, 10–25% in protein blends. Powder (defatted): 10–30% in protein applications. Gum: 0.2–2% as thickener or emulsifier. Oil: 2–10% in dressings or supplements. Detailed formulation guides are available for each product.
Q: How does flaxseed hull affect water absorption in baking? A: Flaxseed hull has a water holding capacity of 6–8 g/g (vs. wheat flour at approximately 0.6–0.8 g/g). When substituting flour with hull, water must be increased by 6–8× the hull weight to maintain dough consistency. For example, replacing 100 g of flour with hull requires an additional 600–800 mL of water. We recommend pre-hydrating the hull for 15–20 minutes before incorporation.
Q: Can your products be used in plant-based meat alternatives? A: Yes. Defatted flaxseed powder (40–50% protein) functions as a binder and protein contributor. Flaxseed gum (0.5–1.5%) improves water binding and texture in plant-based burgers and sausages. Whole flaxseed meal contributes both fibre and fat for juiciness. Extruded flaxseed protein concentrate is under development.
Q: What is the recommended storage for each product? A: Whole seed/kernel: <25°C, <60% RH, 12 months. Full-fat powder: 6 months ambient, 9 months refrigerated (N₂ flushed). Defatted powder: 12 months ambient. Hull: 12 months. Gum: 24 months (<50% RH, hygroscopic). Oil (cold-pressed): 18 months unopened, 60 days after opening (refrigerate). Oil (refined): 24 months unopened.
Logistics & Ordering¶
Q: What are your minimum order quantities (MOQs)? A: Whole seed and kernel: 1 MT standard, 500 kg trial. Powders: 500 kg. Hull: 500 kg. Gum: 200 kg. Cold-pressed oil: 200 L. Refined oil: 1 MT (flexitank). Organic products: 500 kg minimum for all formats. Smaller trial quantities available on request.
Q: Do you ship samples for evaluation? A: Yes. Free samples (1 kg for solids, 1 L for oil) are available to qualified buyers. Shipping costs (DHL, FedEx) are covered by the buyer. Samples are accompanied by the current COA. Standard lead time for sample dispatch is 3–5 business days.
Q: What are your standard lead times? A: Whole seed and kernel: 2–3 weeks. Powders: 2–3 weeks. Cold-pressed oil: 3–4 weeks. Refined oil: 4–5 weeks. Organic products: 3–4 weeks. Rush orders (5–7 days) available with 15% surcharge subject to production capacity.
Q: What shipping documentation do you provide? A: Commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, certificate of origin, phytosanitary certificate (as required), COA, and organic certificate (organic lots). We can arrange FOB, CIF, or DDP terms. All documentation is provided in English; translations available on request.
Regulatory & Compliance¶
Q: Are your products suitable for organic food manufacturing? A: Our certified organic flaxseed (USDA NOP, EU equivalency, CNCA registered) is produced under organic identity preservation protocols with segregated processing, dedicated cleaning between runs, and audited supply chain traceability. Organic certification details are provided with each organic lot.
Q: What labelling information do you provide for finished product labels? A: We provide nutrition data (per 100g and per serving) for each product, including energy, protein, fat, saturated fat, trans fat, polyunsaturated fat (with ALA breakdown), carbohydrate, dietary fibre, sugars, sodium, and any applicable Daily Value percentages (US, EU, or China format). We also provide ingredient statements, allergen declarations, and country of origin.
Q: Can flaxseed fractions be used in EU health claim applications? A: The EU has an authorised health claim for ALA: "ALA contributes to the maintenance of normal blood cholesterol levels" — condition of use: minimum 2 g ALA per day, stated as "high in omega-3 ALA" only if ≥0.6 g ALA per 100 g. Flaxseed oil at typical intake levels of 10–15 g/day delivers 5.5–9 g ALA, exceeding the claim threshold. No authorised claims currently exist for SDG lignans or flaxseed fibre. We recommend consulting regulatory counsel for specific claim validation.
Q: Do your products contain allergens? A: Flaxseed is not listed among the major allergens in the US (FALCPA + FASTER: 9 major + sesame), EU (14 regulated allergens), or China, but individual sensitivity has been reported. Our facility handles ONLY flaxseed — no dairy, soy, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, fish, or shellfish are present. All products are tested gluten-free (GFCO certified, <10 ppm). Cross-contact risk is managed through dedicated equipment and validated cleaning.
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