Industrial hemp has gained popularity over the past years due to its commercial uses, mainly food and fiber production. Its rapid rise in demand across the global market has since drawn more people to the hemp industry.
For this reason, rules and regulations have been set by federal bodies such as the FDA, which requires producers to test their crops for Dry Weight Potency (USDA).
CBD products must have a THC level of not more than 0.3%, meaning that they should not alter the normal body functioning upon use as it is with illegal marijuana. CBD products can be used for consumption, medicinal and recreational purposes. They, therefore, fall under different categories, and so are their rules and regulations. For example, the laws governing hemp processing for consumption are other than processing hemp for fiber.
Below is how you can process hemp products for food and fiber while maintaining quality.
What does hemp processing for fiber involve?
Harvesting
The first step in hemp processing is harvesting the plant during its optimal time. The stalks need to mature to obtain strong fiber and higher value. Machines with blades or independent teeth are used to reap the farm while cutting the stem in equal lengths. The next step is retting, which involves using moisture to rot away all the cellular contents of the hemp plant, leaving the fiber.
Retting
There are different types of retting: dew retting, water retting, chemical retting, mechanical retting and enzymatic retting.
- Dew retting, commonly known as field retting, is widely used in areas with limited water. While it may be cost-effective, it is limited by uncontrollable weather conditions and soil contaminants, resulting in weak fiber and reduced overall quality.
- Water retting. It is the preferred retting method for farmers chasing quality. Water retting favors regions with sufficient water since it involves submerging the stems in a tank, river, or pond. It offers a suitable environment for anaerobic bacteria, which breaks down the pectins to produce high-quality fibers. On the downside, water retting is expensive and has a foul smell of fermentation gases.
Chemical and enzymatic retting also produces high-quality fibers, while mechanical retting quickly produces large quantities of fiber.
The subsequent processes vary depending on whether the hemp is for CBD extraction or food production. For instance, hemp for CBD extraction goes through two other processes – solvent and evaporation to get the end product.
How can I maintain quality in hemp processing for food?
- Harvest during the optimal time
The harvesting phase significantly determines the quality of your hemp products. You need to stick to the proper practices, such as harvesting during the right time to get the best seed quality. If you reap before the due time, you are most likely to get a nonviable seed which translates to a loss in your business venture. Since the hem materials need protection from environmental factors such as extreme temperatures and direct sunlight, the processing facility needs to have a climate-controlled environment.
- De-hull appropriately
De-hulling is an essential step in hemp processing that involves removing the outer coat of seeds. While de-hulling, it is vital to avoid damaging the inner part, affecting the seed quality. Traditionally, people used to remove the coating by hand, which was tedious and would take a significant amount of time.
Besides being tiresome, seeds were more susceptible to damage, and germs, dirt, and bacteria easily contaminated the final product. Thanks to the revolution in the hemp industry, the de-hulling process requires no workload as machines do all the work – from removing the shells, cleaning the residue off the seeds, and casting out by-products.
- Adhere and meet up the quality control standards
Any food product processed for consumption, including hemp seeds, should comply with the FDA regulations. These laws protect consumers from nonviable effects which negatively impact their health. Processing facilities need to comply with sanitary standards, including taking necessary insect and pest control measures. The cleanliness of storage spaces and equipment shouldn’t be compromised to avoid product contamination. Seeds require a cool and dry environment since high humidity domains are breeding grounds for bacteria.
You can maintain or improve hemp quality by following the proper guidelines, including testing your products in laboratories.
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