DIAM wine closures judged Natamycin free

Published: 21 January, 2010

The fungal antibiotic, Natamycin that was found in a number of South American and South African wines was ruled not to have been connected to the DIAM closure.

It was thought that natural and technical cork closures could be responsible for the levels of the drug found in the wines, which had been withdrawn from the market for investigation.

Closure manufacturer Oeneo, completed an study into any possible relationship between its technical closure and the antibiotic which is used to treat fungal keratitis .

Analysis, completed by UK laboratory Campden BRI, concluded that Natamycin was not present, at any level, in any DIAM closure analysed.

DIAM commercial director Dean Banister said: "The moment we were alerted to this issue we requested samples of DIAM closed wines from various winery partners to be analysed. Being proactive we have moved swiftly to reassure our customers that DIAM does not contain Natamycin at any level."

"We do not use it in the production of DIAM, and have received statements from our suppliers confirming that Natamycin is not used at any stage within our tightly controlled supply chain. Even if it were present in a supplied raw material, the process used to produce DIAM would eradicate any possible contamination."

Samples recalled from the EU and Germany were found to be free from Natamycin, but the antibiotic was found in a number of wines from South America and South Africa.

.

Printer friendly version