Hello all I am hoping to get guidance on a Raw Material questions.
We purchase spices from a broker, and that broker has a dedicated spice dealer. We've gotten spices from this company for years with no issue. Upon receiving some a spice, we noticed that the COA had a new specification on it for both Peanut and Gluten allergies. The gluten allergen showed less than 5ppm, but the peanut allergy showed 6ppm, with the testing threshold being less than 2.5ppm. We have placed the shipment on hold and are arguing with the broker and now supplier. They said that this amount doesn't pose a public threat, and that everyone else is accepting it. I have explained multiple times to them that the FDA does not establish limits and if I see a test showing positive, to me that means the garlic contains peanuts and I must declare a peanut allergen if I use it.
I know that <25ppm is technically not a threat to the public in general, but to me anything above the testing threshold should be considered as containing an allergen.
Am I crazy here? Is this a thing now? Do I need to keep standing my ground on this?
Does anyone have any guidance, or references I can consult.
TIA