Free-from Safety

Facilities

An industrial architecture designed to eliminate contamination

The production hub in Costa di Mezzate is structured into physically and logistically independent facilities: a conventional area, a gluten-free site, and an allergen-free plant. This setup has recently been expanded with a new pavilion exclusively dedicated to the production of extruded snacks for the baby food sector.

The integrity of each production line is ensured by strict separation of flows, designed to prevent cross-contamination risks, along with rigorous controls on raw materials and processes, based on precision instrumentation and in-depth analyses. These technological solutions ensure the highest hygiene standards and minimize risks related to human intervention.

Protocols

Rigorous management of production protocols

The absence of undeclared allergens is ensured through the strict application of good manufacturing practices, in compliance with EU Regulation 1169/2011 with the aim of excluding the presence of the 14 major allergens: gluten, crustaceans, eggs, fish, peanuts, soy, milk, nuts, celery, mustard, sesame seeds, sulfur dioxide and sulphites, lupin, and molluscs.

This approach goes beyond formulation: it involves a dedicated facility, controlled workflows, and rigorous validation procedures to prevent any risk of cross-contamination. In addition, personnel wear color-coded uniforms that visually identify access to production areas.

Each production changeover is subject to rigorous validation where required: we perform surface swab tests to verify the complete absence of residues before starting a new production cycle.

Prevention and Control

Advanced monitoring and inspection technologies

Our sampling plan includes over 5,000 analyses per year on raw materials, semi-finished, and finished products. From the very first stage of raw material intake, next-generation optical sorters inspect each individual grain, ensuring accurate selection of raw materials.

Specific Standards and Certifications

International guarantees of excellence and transparency

Our reliability is supported by a certified system based on HACCP and integrated with BRCGS (AA+ grade) and IFS (Higher level) standards, as well as ISO 22005 certification for the corn supply chain and FDA registration, which is essential for operating successfully in the U.S. market.

Compliance with the highest standards for gluten-free production is ensured by the “Crossed Grain” product certification issued by AIC and adherence to the BRCGS Gluten-Free Certification Program. Molino Nicoli is also compliant with organic production standards, while its ethical commitment is demonstrated through Fairtrade and Rainforest Alliance protocols, and confirmed by SMETA audits.

Over 50 audits per year, including certifications and customer inspections, confirm compliance with the most stringent food safety standards and reinforce the strong link between the innovation of the R&D department and consumer protection.