ROOIBOS ANALYSIS

ROOIBOS ANALYSIS – SUMMARY OVERVIEW

 JULY 2009

 THE ANALYSIS - PROCEDURES

• Samples of Rooibos were obtained from processors (according to specifications) and submitted to a range of analytical services suppliers for analysis during April 2009.
• All laboratories were SANAS-accredited, except the Central Analytical Facility at Stellenbosch University – a highly specialized laboratory.
• The analysis was done on an extract, prepared according to specified standard method.
• Moisture and ash determinations, as well as microbiological analysis, were also done on dry leaves.

THE RESULTS

• All results are summarized on next page in TABLE 1A.
• Protein, Fat, Energy: Rooibos (the extract, not the leaves) contains NO fat, protein or kilojoules.
• Heavy metals: Results low or mostly absent (need to verify permissible levels for Rooibos).
• Minerals and trace elements: All values were found to be too low to make health claims – see TABLE 2B.
• Vitamin A and Cwere below detection limit – no claims can be made at all.
• Some of the results were in line with current values printed on some Rooibos packaging, but others need to be revised – see TABLE 2A.
• Individual test results have been sent to suppliers.
• NB:Gerda de Wet (Rooibos Ltd) suggested that all suppliers should use average values, because it may lead to confusion if every supplier uses their specific results.
• Caffeine- Tests confirmed that Rooibos contains NO caffeine.
• Microbiological quality: Most of the samples were of very high microbiological quality.
  There were no Salmonella or E coli in any of the samples. Only six of the samples had more than 75 000 CFU/g – therefore exceeded the maximum limit for TMA (Total Microbial Activity) export standards according to current information on the DoA web site (DoA export standards for Rooibos is maximum 150 000 CFU/g for retail packages and 75 000 CFU/g when packed in bulk containers.) It is possible that these samples were not pasteurized (although we asked processors to provide pasteurized samples).

Future tests

• Analysis for polyphenols not included at this time; Prof Lizette Joubert is busy with an extensive study on this.
• Tannins – need to find an appropriate method applicable to Rooibos. Prof Joubert is investigating. (Already found that HPLC is not an option and methods suitable for wine and fruit juices will not necessarily be applicable to Rooibos.)

NUTRITIONAL TABLE FOR ROOIBOS TEA- According to SA Label Legislation :: 

• The table below provides the typical nutritional information for rooibos tea (traditional and gree rooibos) to be printed on all Rooibos tea pacaking in future. It is in line with the latest food labelling legislation published on 1 March 2010 - Regulation 146 of the Foodstuff, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act (Act 54 of 1972) that comes in to effect on 1 March 2011

ROOIBOS TEA: TYPICAL NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION*

 TABLE 1A: AVERAGES OF RESULTS OBTAINED ON 25 SAMPLES ANALYSED

TABLE 1B - RESULTS FOR HEAVY METAL CONTENT

 TABLE 2A: MINERAL RESULTS COMPARED TO WHAT IS CURRENTLY PRINTED ON PACKAGING

Values below given in mg per 200 mlextract – in other words in a typical cup of tea / 1 portion

The values in italics are those where recent tests found similar levels as those currently used on packaging.

The values in bold – not in line with some current packaging, consider adjusting when reprinting packaging.

*These values used currently were probably sourced from tests done in the 1980s at the Institute for Fruit and Fruit Technology. Due to changes in soil conditions, these values need to be updated.

All these values are too low to make any health claims regarding the mineral content of Rooibos – see table and notes below.

TABLE 2B: RESULTS VS RDA VALUES

*RDA values for Cu (Copper), Mn (Manganese), K (Potassium) not specified in this Government Gazette. These RDA values were obtained from a nutrition consultant.

**RDA values as published in Government Gazette of 8 August 2002, No 23714.

According to new legislation currently in the pipeline these RDA values will be changed to NRV values in future (NRV = Nutrient Reference Values) – but these values are expected to be very similar to current RDA values.

***To claim “source of” the foodstuff must provide 15% of the Minimum Dietary Requirement (MDR value) per serving and to claim “high in” the foodstuff must provide at least 30% of the MDR value per serving - Government Gazette No 30075 of 20 July 2007. All these values are therefore too low to make any health claim (with the exception of “very low in sodium” – see below).

(According to the new proposed food law foods containing >/= 5% NRV (no longer RDA, now called nutrient reference values) for a nutrient may be listed on pack. AND ONLY CLAIMS will be permitted if products have 15% NRV = source, 30% NRV = high in 60% = very high in.)

****Lower than 40mg per 100g can claim “very low in sodium” according to Government Gazette No 30075 of 20 July 2007

Marina Joubert

For: SA Rooibos Council

marina@southernscience.co.za