Meet Origine Nature’s quality control experts!
Nathalie Dubé, Senior Specialist and Gaston Duplan, Vice President of Quality (QAP).
Ever wonder how the quality of our cannabis is assessed, or what procedures have been implemented to guarantee product quality and safety? Gaston Duplan, Vice President of Quality (QAP), and Nathalie Dubé, Senior Specialist in Quality Assurance and Research & Development, answer our questions and tell us all about Origine Nature’s Quality Control Department.
Enjoy!
Are there any particular requirements that Origine Nature must meet to ensure the safety of its cannabis?
Gaston : Of all the requirements, testing for potential contaminants is by far the most important, as these contaminants can directly impact health. So we have to ensure that all our products on the market are free from micro-organisms, pesticides, aflatoxins* and heavy metals.
Nathalie : Exactly. These are the most important tests we carry out to comply with Health Canada requirements at all times. However, we do many other tests on our products, including THC, CBD and terpenes, which are the main characteristics consumers look for.
Source:
*Aflatoxins are toxins made by moulds (mycotoxins) and fungi that thrive in warm, humid environments.
What are the main benefits of performing quality controls?
Nathalie : These controls enable us to guarantee that Origine Nature products are always of the highest quality!
Tell us more about the types of laboratory tests carried out.
Gaston : In addition to testing THC content, we monitor the drying process of our plants by checking humidity levels and water activity (chemically pure water) to avoid the growth and proliferation of bacteria.
Nathalie : We have many things tested externally: THC and other cannabinoid content, terpenes, moisture, pesticides, heavy metals, bacteria, aflatoxins and the presence of foreign matter. We also check the total ash content; this test is regularly carried out in the food industry, and we started performing it in our R&D Department this summer.
What are the main objectives of these tests?
Gaston : depends on the tests! With cannabinoid and terpene tests, we can determine the chemical characteristics of our products and inform consumers of the THC and terpene content in the cannabis they buy.
Nathalie : These tests also enable us to detect the presence of pesticides, heavy metals, bacteria, aflatoxins and foreign matter, thus ensuring our cannabis is free of any contaminants. Our goal is to guarantee that all our products are fit for consumption.
How is THC and CBD content calculated?
Gaston : Cannabinoid content is determined using a technique called high-performance liquid chromatography or HPLC. In a nutshell, we extract the cannabinoids in a solvent, then centrifuge, filter and dilute this extract to obtain 1 millilitre of solution. Of this amount, five microlitres is then injected into the HPLC system and fed by a stream of solvents into a chromatographic column that will separate each of the main cannabinoids. We also inject several known concentrations of a cannabinoid solution. By comparing our sample with the calibration curve, we can calculate the precise concentration of each cannabinoid. These percentages are found on the product label.
When are quality controls carried out at Origine Nature?
Nathalie : These processes are an integral part of our work! Every step is described in our procedures and documented, and our employees are trained to follow these procedures at all times. The Sanitation Department works hard to keep our facilities clean, and our inspectors always check walls and equipment for bacteria after cleaning. Also, we send all our batches to an independent laboratory for further testing. In short, when you consume an Origine Nature product, you know you’re making a safe choice!
Does your cultivation process include pesticides?
Gaston : We have to comply with Health Canada’s very strict regulations—that’s why we only use natural pesticides such as canola oil instead of chemical or genetically modified pesticides.
Earlier, you mentioned the potential for product contamination. What measures have been implemented to avoid this?
Nathalie : Our sanitation process is rigorous—we don’t cut corners! Procedures regarding clothing and protective equipment are strictly adhered to at all times. Employees are aware of the potential consequences of their actions and always handle our products with the utmost care. Also, we focus heavily on ongoing training and raising awareness! Our employees understand the importance of their role in creating a quality product.
Gaston : I’d add that at Origine Nature, no product leaves the factory without going through all the approval stages. The quality control team works with all departments. For example, on the logistics side, we make sure that every product shipped is accompanied by a purchase order, and we establish a control chain. We also check the quantity of biomass to be shipped. As for production, we carry out post-sanitization tests on the premises to certify the cleanliness of our rooms and equipment before use. Anything that can potentially be contaminated is tested: walls, floors, equipment, etc.
We also check and approve production sheets, all harvested masses and the weight of packaged products. It’s hard, meticulous work—there is no room for error!
How do you ensure that all teams comply with quality protocols?
Nathalie : I’d love to tell you that the Quality Control Department does all the work, but every team has a role to play. Although we’re in charge of the processes, we can also count on employees that take pride in their work and the company. Everyone complies with our quality protocols and understands that they play a vital role in creating a superior product. We have to make sure that all expectations are met, but our job would be much more difficult without the collaboration of the other teams.
About Gaston and Nathalie
Holder of a DEC in Chemistry and Biology, Nathalie Dubé has worked for over 20 years in quality assurance, R&D and document review in many laboratories, and has headed a pharmaceutical product stability testing department. At Origine Nature, she oversees the Quality Assurance and R&D departments. In terms of quality control, she manages communications with external laboratories, receives and compiles results, and assists with reviewing documents generated by the Production Department and quality assurance inspectors. She also participates in government and private audits. With regard to R&D, she manages the in-house laboratory and drafts project reports. She is also responsible for determining the THC content of genetics using the CLPH system.
Gaston Duplan has also worked in the pharmaceutical field. With a bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry and a postgraduate diploma in Toxicology, he has over 25 years of experience in R&D, SOP drafting, and investigation. As Vice President of Quality at Origine Nature, he is primarily responsible for the company’s quality processes.
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