Ziel Partners with Portocanna to Receive the First EU GMP Certification for the Use of Frequency Technology for Microbial Control in Cannabis
May 16 2024 - 4:00AM
Ziel Partners with Portocanna to Receive the First EU GMP
Certification for the Use of Frequency Technology for Microbial
Control in Cannabis
Ziel, the industry leader providing next-generation customized,
microbial control solutions for the agriculture and cannabis
industries, today announced that its partner Portocanna, a medical
cannabis processor in Portugal received GMP validation for the
decontamination of cannabis flower using Ziel’s radio Frequency
System (RF) technology. With the GMP certification in an EU member
state, Portocanna is well positioned to supply medical cannabis
from their EU-GMP pharmaceutical facility to the expanding markets
in Germany and the UK.
“We are delighted that our radio frequency technology has
received the first EU GMP approval for microbial control through
our partnership with Portocanna,” says Arthur de Cordova, CEO and
Co-Founder of Ziel. “We are well positioned in the EU to solve a
problem every cultivator needs to address if they want to secure a
presence in the rapidly growing European cannabis market.”
GMP defines the minimum standard that medical manufacturers must
meet in their product processing operations under the European
Medicines Agency (EMA), which coordinates and standardizes GMP
activities at the European Union (EU) level. All entities that
import or export cannabis to and within the EU are required to be
GMP certified, representing a substantial investment and commitment
to comply with these regulations. With this first GMP
certification, Ziel’s technology now provides cultivators and
post-harvest processors seeking to produce within the EU, or export
to the EU, a clear, streamlined pathway for integrating a microbial
control step into their operations.
Unlike ionizing forms of radiation such as X-ray, gamma, and
e-beam, radio frequency is a non-ionizing, thermal process
compliant with organic processes. In the European market, radio
frequency does not require additional labeling and licensing for
use in cannabis decontamination. For example, Germany requires
registration of all strains treated with ionizing radiation (X-ray,
gamma, and e-beam) prior to distribution within the country; a
process that takes 6 to 9 months and an administrative fee of
€2,500 per strain.
“Portocanna is extremely well positioned to increase medical
cannabis exports from its EU GMP-certified facility,” said Amit
Adri, CEO and founder of Portocanna S.A. “The use of radio
frequency in our GMP processes allows us to efficiently meet
increased demand following passage of Germany’s landmark cannabis
reform law passed April 1, and efficiently meet strict German
regulatory requirements for cannabis safety.”
“Domestically, Portocanna’s has received approval for one of its
cannabis formulations on the Portuguese market,” continued Edri.
“Our products are treated with radio frequency to meet Infarmed and
EU requirements for patient safety.”
To learn more about Ziel or the RFX, please
visit www.ziel.com.
About ZielZiel is the industry leader providing
next-generation customized, microbial control solutions for the
agriculture and cannabis industries. The markets in which the
company currently operates include tree nuts, seeds, and select
fruit, as well as cannabis and hemp. Ziel’s products harness radio
frequency and microwave technologies to build customized solutions
that help customers consistently meet regulatory requirements,
preserve product integrity, improve operational processes, and
maximize profits. Ziel has a worldwide clientele who commercially
process food and cannabis products with installations in the United
States, Canada, Australia, Chile, Mexico, and across the EU. Ziel’s
corporate headquarters are located in San Francisco. To learn more
about Ziel’s solutions visit www.ziel.com.
About PortocannaPortocanna aims to become the
leading medical cannabis processor in Europe. With a 3,000 sqm EU
GMP-certified facility, an in-house R&D lab, and the largest
cannabis logistics center in the EU, the company is supported by a
highly skilled and experienced team. After successfully launching
medical cannabis products in Germany and the UK, and with a product
soon to be introduced in the Portuguese market, Portocanna is
focused on expanding its portfolio in these key markets.
Additionally, the company is actively pursuing growth opportunities
in other European regions. With 25 proprietary cannabis cultivars
developed and registered, along with significant R&D
investments, Portocanna is pioneering innovative delivery
methods.
Media Contact:Raquel Heras Oak PR
Raquel@oakpr.com