Ethics and acacia: Alland & Robert secures Fair for Life trade certification for acacia gum

22 Sep 2023 --- French natural ingredient supplier Alland & Robert has received the Fair for Life (FFL) certification for its acacia gum, which includes both the seyal and senegal varieties of the vegetal gum. This is reportedly the first time such a certification has been obtained in the acacia gum industry and is in line with the company’s effort to support ethical supply chains.

FFL promotes an approach of fair trade and products displaying the certification label are “guaranteed to come from environmentally friendly processes practiced by fairly paid farmers, from a transparent and traceable supply chain,” highlights the company.

Charles Alland, CEO of Alland & Robert, believes that the certification will meet the consumers’ demand for ethics, traceability and transparency and strengthen the company’s relationship with its suppliers in the African region of Sahel.

“To us, this is the recognition of our long-term efforts toward a gum acacia supply chain that is beneficial to all parties involved. Fair trade promotes healthy and beneficial trade for people and the earth,” underscores Violaine Fauvarque, sustainability manager at Alland & Robert.

Supporting the local social fabric
The FFL certification is an international standard for fair trade and responsible supply chains. It is also a guarantee of strict economic, social and environmental standards set by the Ecocert group, flags the company.

In juices, acacia gum brings mouthfeel improvement, texture and fiber enrichment. “Fair trade is part of a broader context of sustainable development within a region that safeguards and supports the local social fabric, particularly in rural settings.”

The FFL label reportedly guarantees a fair purchase price higher than market prices, purchase commitments over three years minimum and protects producers during crises.

Additionally, the label ensures safe working conditions and environmentally friendly agricultural practices and solidifies the producers’ autonomy.

The fundamentals hold across the whole supply chain, covering producers, traders, manufacturers and brand holders.

Consumer impact on fair trade food is significant, too. Research covered by Food Ingredients First in June showcased that medium- and high-income organic food buyers prefer to purchase local, natural and fair trade food, with regular meat eaters demonstrating a low awareness of environmental issues and a limited preference for fair trade food.

Earlier this year, Brazilian ingredient formulator Duas Rodas gained the FFL certification to produce South American staples such as yerba mate, acai, guarana and acerola.

A versatile additive
Also known as gum Arabic or E414, acacia gum is a natural, vegetal, safe, functional and healthy additive used in flavors, beverages, confectionery, dairy, bakery, dietary products, pharma and cosmetics. It is also one of the oldest gums used in industrial applications.

Acacia gum is one of the oldest gums used in industrial applications. (Image credit: Alland & Robert).The ingredient is used as a food stabilizer, emulsifier or thickener and improves the texture of food products without affecting other qualities such as taste.

Studies state that the two varieties of acacia gum, A. senegal and A. seyal, are hyperbranched polysaccharides rich in arabinose and galactose. Both acacia gums contain the same amino acids with a higher protein content in senegal (2.7%) than in seyal (1.0%).

Africa houses the world’s largest supplier of acacia gum, Sudan, which was under threat of supply disruption earlier this year when hostilities between rival factions of the military government of Sudan threatened civilian safety.

At the start of this year, Alland & Robert launched a vegan texture and gelling agent made from a blend of acacia gum and other hydrocolloids for use in gummies, jelly sweets, mousses and marshmallows, made from natural ingredients of plant origin.

By Insha Naureen