Garuda International
PuntiaVera® Certified Organic Nopal Cactus Cladodes Powder (Opuntia ficus indica) Ingredient - Raw Material

Rich Wholefood Source of Soluble and Insoluble Dietary Fiber and Antioxidants

Product Code: NOFIPM80-O

Introduction
PuntiaVera® Certified Organic Nopal Cactus Cladodes Powder ingredient (Opuntia ficus indica) is carefully dehydrated and milled under stringently controlled conditions and to exacting standards set by Garuda International's technical team. It is a rich wholefood source of dietary fiber (soluble fiber and insoluble fiber) and contains naturally occurring high molecular weight polysaccharides. Many investigational studies have led researchers to determine that Nopal (Opuntia ficus indica), as a whole food, has multiple health benefits. PuntiaVera® Certified Organic Nopal Cactus Cladodes Powder raw material is also an abundant source of pectins. Its unique mucilage is beneficial to the human digestive system.

Benefits
• Certified Organic Ingredient

• Whole Food Soluble Fiber (Fibre) Raw Material

• Gluten-Free Ingredient

• Non-GMO Raw Material

• Wholefood insoluble fiber (fibre) Raw Material

• Controlled facility drying to prevent contamination/UV damage of sun-drying

• Grown and Processed in North America

• Low calorie Ingredient

• Low Glycemic Index Raw Material

Advantages
PuntiaVera® Nopal Cactus Cladodes Powder (Opuntia ficus indica) Ingredient is Certified Organic. Traditionally, Nopal cactus pads (Cladodes) have been sliced and sun-dried, however that traditional method exposes the delicate inner flesh of the vegetable Nopal to UV radiation (possible nutrient degradation) and more importantly it exposes this human food to potential rodent, bird droppings and insect contamination and infestations. Garuda International's PuntiaVera® Certified Organic Nopal Cactus Cladodes Powder (Opuntia ficus indica) raw material is sliced, dried and milled under strictly controlled conditions in regulated, indoor food processing facilities. While controlled food-grade processing is more costly and capital-intensive for vegetable products, safety, quality & consistency are fundamental requirements for all of Garuda International's ingredients/raw materials.

Quality Assurance
Microbial counts, moisture content and particle size are carefully controlled through proprietary processing techniques in food processing facilities (no outdoor sun-drying) with rigorous testing of every batch. Full Certificates of Analysis that meet Garuda International's exacting standards for purity, quality and safety are included with every shipment.

Regulatory
PuntiaVera® Certified Organic Nopal Cactus Cladodes Powder is a wholefood vegetable raw material. The fresh Nopal Cactus Cladodes are consumed daily in many parts of the world including North America where it is a popular vegetable. It has been consumed in the EU prior to May 1997 and is exempt from the EU Novel Food procedure. References have also been made in literature in 1992 of it's consumption as a food in Europe. (Flores-Valdez, 1992) PuntiaVera® Nopal Cactus Cladodes Powder is Certified Organic.

Applications
PuntiaVera® Certified Organic Nopal Cactus Cladodes Powder (Opuntia ficus indica) Ingredient may be used in many applications including:

• Baked Foods
• Beverages
• Smoothies
• Dietary Supplements
• Cosmetics
• Personal Care
• Tortillas
• Fiber-rich snack foods
• Fiber-rich pastas
• Weight control products
• Low-Glycemic foods

Weight Management
Nearly half of the dry powder mass of PuntiaVera® Certified Organic Nopal Cactus Cladodes Powder is indigestible fiber, which provides multiple benefits to the human digestive tract. PuntiaVera® Nopal Cactus Cladodes Powder (Opuntia ficus indica) raw material is a good source of amino acids, vitamins and minerals making it an effective and nutritious low-calorie whole food ingredient.

Gastrointestinal Support
PuntiaVera® Nopal Cactus Cladodes Powder (Opuntia ficus indica) Ingredient is a good source of soluble fiber, mucilaginous polysaccharides and unique glycoproteins, which provide support to the human gastrointestinal tract.



Revision Date: 11/21/2019