PH7 Food Technology is the technological brand of food additives within the Food division of Grupo Barcelonesa. And what does this mean? Being part of a large chemical group allows us to offer you a personalized service, quality and according to the quality standards of large companies in the sector. Do you want to know what it means to be part of Barcelonesa? Keep on reading! 

Quality and R&D

Barcelonesa’s technical area takes part in different phases of the process to always offer the best solutions adapted to your needs. This area is in charge of ensuring that all products are manufactured according to the quality standards applied in the different countries in which we operate and always generating all the necessary documentation. The different companies that are part of Grupo Barcelonesa are ISO certified and we have Halal and Kosher certifications. We have an integrated management system in which the areas of Quality, Safety and Occupational Risk Prevention and Environment converge, guaranteeing an integral and systematic approach that allows continuous improvement and compliance with legislation at all stages of the process. 

We also comply with the objectives set out in the European Regulation for the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH). These objectives are based on guaranteeing the safe use of chemical substances, limiting health and environmental risks and promoting the substitution of SVHC (Substances of Very High Concern). 

We have a laboratory from which we can perform quality control of all our products, as well as develop our own formulations. We can also research and develop new products adapted to the needs of our customers and the market. From the Technical Area we can cover different needs: 

• Advice on the use and application of products.
• Safe storage and handling of chemical products.
• Transportation of hazardous chemical products.
• Labeling and classification of chemicals, food additives, feed additives.
• Preparation of Safety Data Sheets.
• Quality, safety and environmental management.
• Management of food safety systems.
• Analytical Techniques
• Interpretation and application of generic and sectorial technical legislation.
• Support in the development of formulations.
• Optimization of formulations.
• Development of customized formulations.

Advanced logistics and distribution services

We have modern and innovative facilities with the best technology and the most advanced prevention measures. They allow us to offer our customers and suppliers the maximum guarantee of quality, without risks in the storage and handling of their chemical products. We have the following facilities: 

• 1,400m2 warehouse adapted for flammable and corrosive products.
• 1,400m2 warehouse conditioned for very toxic, toxic and phytosanitary products.
• 6,500m2 warehouse compartmentalized into 3 sectors with RF240 partition walls for flammable and oxidizing products.
• 18 tanks of 75m3 built in A-410-B steel.
• 4 tanks of 40m3 built in A-410-B steel.
• Solids handling area.
• Liquid handling area.
• Laboratory in which to develop formulations.

Grupo Barcelonesa’s facilities are located in Barcelona, the most important logistics center in southern Europe. They have permanent security systems and all the means of protection required by the storage regulations ITC-MIE-APQ-1 / ITC-MIE-APQ-6 / ITC-MIE-APQ-7. In addition, Barcelonesa can act as a bonded warehouse and we have the following figures that allow us to provide customs and tax exemption until the time of use of the goods deposited in our warehouses:

• Bonded Warehouse 
• Bonded Warehouse 
• Temporary Deposit Warehouse
• Authorized Location for Export Goods

We also have our own dangerous goods transport company, BDtrans, which can pick up goods all over Europe and distribute them throughout the Iberian Peninsula. This allows us to close the circle, offering our customers the sale, storage and distribution of chemical products and specialties.

International Trading

Barcelonesa is in constant search all over the world for the best products for its customers, supplying them at the right time and exporting the chemical products to the desired country in the chosen quantity and format. Thanks to a long international experience, Barcelonesa has consolidated the ability to successfully perform all types of international operations, both “trading” direct sales to customers from origin, as well as “chartering” for bulk deliveries. We operate all over the world and have a trading infrastructure in more than 30 countries. Barcelonesa is able to supply large quantities of chemical products all over the world: from an FCL to a complete vessel delivered to the port you need. 

More than 75 years of experience distributing chemical products with the main international manufacturers allows us to have access to the best materials from the best sources, guaranteeing a permanent supply of any product and origin. In addition, Barcelonesa has an extensive network of trusted international agents.

The years of experience and the presence of Barcelonesa in the main world markets, gives us a wide knowledge of the fishing and human food sector.

First, let’s broadly define what pH is: it is the measure we use to know the degree of acidity or alkalinity of a solution.

As we can see, when it is less than 7 we will have an acid pH (like a lemon juice), and when it is greater than 7 we will have an alkaline pH (like a detergent). pH 7 is neutral.

How does it affect the pH of the species that we treat with our additives?

Once the species dies, the process of transformation of muscle into meat takes place. The main one during the establishment of rigor mortis is muscle acidification.

After death, the heart stops beating and therefore circulation stops. Neither oxygen nor nutrients reach the muscle. The muscle must then obtain energy anaerobically to convert its glycogen stores into ATP in order to maintain temperature and structure. ATP is formed from the breakdown of glycogen into lactic acid, and since it cannot be removed because the circulation has stopped, it accumulates, causing the muscle pH to drop.

With our additives we create a brine, generally with an alkaline pH, to help recover the initial texture, preventing these oxidative and enzymatic processes from occurring, stabilising the texture of the muscle tissue.

After treatment, the product treated with our additives will have a pH around 7.

At PH7, we believe that this middle ground is the virtue to guarantee the best product quality.

Year 2020 is coming to an end, a year that has challenged us all, in which the important dates have lost meaning, a year that has taught us to live differently, in which we have worked together from afar and have closed deals without shaking hands.

If there is one thing we know at PH7, it is that one simple molecule can be something significant. Such as love, a chemical reaction is something that is always worth strengthening and working on.

In this unprecedented year, we also wanted to do something unprecedented, replacing the design, production, and distribution of the actions that we usually work on at this time of year, with something more in concordance with one of the company’s defining values: closeness.

So we got down to work, collaborating with a nearby charity project and we have designed a unique periodic table that we want to share with you. In it you will find some of the formulas that have helped us take care of ourselves better and feel closer together.

Discover them!

Our greatest wish for 2021 is that you can continue working on, rediscovering and exploring new formulas for your well-being, regardless of the context, and that you can soon share experiences with your loved ones in an unrestricted manner.

After several years of research, we have managed to design our best formula for the treatment of shrimp tail. It is based on a mixture of top quality phosphates, adjusted to obtain the best performance in terms of texturizers and moisture retainers for the crustaceans.

• Optimum moisture retention.
• Reduced loss during cooking and defrosting
• Superior organoleptic quality.

Sometimes we have to sacrifice numbers to increase the quality of our treated products, but with the new q-30 plus the numbers are very good, with excellent taste, texture and colour.

Where does our product intervene in the treatment?

The q-30 plus can be used for Bin immersion treatments and Tumbler treatments. Below are the steps to follow for its correct application:

Many quality departments of large companies that are strong in the sector have been surprised by the post-treatment results with the q-30 plus, replacing their usual treatments with this new PH7 FOOD TECHNOLOGY reference. Contact us and we will send you a sample.

PH7 is a company that distributes tailor-made technological solutions for the world of food additives, more specifically to fish processors, precooked foods and the meat sector. Customers in these sectors usually need to improve the performance of their production and increase the quality of their products.

In order to correctly attend to their needs, we can think that offering solutions oriented to cover the needs they have may be enough. Many additive companies have as a strategy the design and commercialisation of the product without going further with the client. At PH7 we believe that there is another way of getting things done, putting the sales phase on the same level as the consultancy phase.

A technical team at your side

We have a highly qualified technical team in charge of research and development of new formulations. We study the product and the target market in order to recommend the most effective and appropriate treatment. But their work also goes beyond this, dedicating part of their time to being in contact with the client in order to perfectly understand their needs and problems, and in this way, offer them tailor-made solutions.

When a fish, precooked food or meat processing company works with PH7, it is assigned a single contact person to help with the development of its commercial projects. This partner has the following objectives:

• To provide a fully personalised integral service in the supply and application of additives
• Informing about all the latest news and market trends
• Advise the client on production processes and application treatments
• Offer personalized technical assistance, working hand in hand to understand the reality of the product and what your needs are.
• To provide a global vision of the market thanks to the presence of PH7 in more than 25 countries.
• Serve as a connection and reference link between supplier, processor and customer.

Our experience, a differential value

Thanks to this support provided to our customers, we can say that the know-how that the PH7 team has accumulated over more than 20 years of experience is one of our strongest points.

It may sound like a cliché, but our team has really travelled around the world, visiting processing plants for all kinds of species and products, has faced all kinds of problems and understands how a large number of companies work. This has allowed us to perfectly understand the different problems that can arise in the production processes of the different species we deal with, regardless of the country and the method to be used. We do not limit ourselves only to the part of the process concerning the additives, but we look at each and every one of the phases. In this way we can help to correct the problems we detect thanks to the knowledge and experiences lived in other cases.

One of our main values as a company is confidentiality. Some customers might think that, by visiting so many production rooms, we could end up revealing some technological secret of theirs to another competitor, but we can say that this is not the case. PH7 nurtures itself day by day from its customers to continue learning and growing with them.

Can changes in sectorial legislation be a problem?

We know that regulations in different countries can become a headache. We recently made a post talking about the regulations in the world of food additives. The PH7 team is aware of all the new legislation in the different countries of the world, especially in the European Union (which may be much more frequent than desirable).

The European Union has made many changes to the regulations affecting the different species of fish and shellfish, sometimes even modifying them excessively and creating a problem for companies. In the face of all these changes, it is always difficult to comply with the latest legislation. The continuous changes are causing the companies real headaches to adapt the additives to their elaborations and be able to commercialize them in the different international markets. In these cases, PH7’s role as a partner becomes especially important thanks to this knowledge of the regulations and our ability to react. Our team can advise clients of new developments and adapt the formulation of our additives to these legislative changes.

Do you have a problem that you don’t know how to solve?

If you have come this far, have some problem in your production and manufacturing process and do not know how to solve it, we encourage you to send us a message so that we can study it together.

No matter where you are, as we have already told you, our technical team has experience in more than 25 countries and is able to help you with the treatment of different species of fish, seafood, processed or meat.

Please contact us using this form.

The coronavirus crisis has caused unprecedented economic turmoil. 

It appears as though the economic standstill that has occurred in the attempt to limit the spread of infection will have repercussions of massive proportions at a global level. 

Sectors that are particularly important to Spain, such as tourism and Horeca (hotels, restaurants and catering), have had to remain closed for weeks on end. Even now, as the de-escalation process commences, the situation continues to remain complicated for bars and restaurants, which have no other option than to implement special safety measures to prevent new outbreaks of the pandemic. 

However the reality of the situation is far more complex, as some primary sectors, such as fishing, greatly depend on the catering and restaurant industry. This means that if restaurants close, fishermen will be left with larges surpluses that are hard to sell within the individual consumer channel. 

Therefore, we find ourselves living in a time in which it is more necessary than ever before to reinvent ourselves and adapt to new situations, as this crisis will be long and complex, at least for the hospitality industry. 

If customers cannot enjoy fish or seafood at their favourite restaurants, then it becomes necessary to deliver it to their homes so they can continue enjoying these delicacies in optimal conditions (which now, more than ever, entails the need for our preservatives for fish and seafood). 

This article offers a review of the most innovative ways in which some companies in the sector are starting to implement product sales directly to end consumers. 

The fishing sector hasn’t stopped working for even a moment

The first thing to take note of is that the fishing sector has been on top of the situation since the very beginning of this health crisis. 

Although some fishing vessel owners have had to moor some of their boats, fleets haven’t stopped fishing for a second and have adapted to this new reality by establishing additional safety measures to protect their workers. 

This means that at no time has there been any shortages and end consumers have been able to buy all kinds of seafood products at their regular fishmongers. 

Nevertheless, demand has dropped drastically. Both restaurants and bars, as well as hotels and schools—the main fish and seafood consumers—haven’t been able to open for more than 50 days. This has led to surplus stock that has pushed sales prices down for fishermen and wholesalers. 

To find a use for this surplus product, wholesale fish markets have had to divert all the surplus to individuals. To do this, they’ve had to transform their regular distribution channels. That is the huge challenge that producers are currently facing. 

This issue is crucial to the industry. The survival of many fishermen’s guilds depends on resolving this issue, as they will have no other option than to moor their boats if no other solution can be found. 

Good industry practices

Multiple businesses in the sector have been able to swiftly adapt to the new sales channels. 

Those with the capabilities have created websites to sell their products directly over the Internet while other businesses have realised it is possible to sell fish and seafood—both fresh and frozen—over the phone or through WhatsApp, thanks to the added value of providing home delivery. 

In fact, many local markets and fishmongers have set up home delivery systems so their clients can still enjoy their favourite fish and seafood products without ever having to leave their homes. 

Selling fish on the Internet

Many people might think that it is difficult to buy fish without seeing what it looks like.

However the coronavirus has put an end to this reluctance of many fish and seafood consumers as they have seen that online fish sales can meet their needs with every guarantee. 

In fact, some industry associations have created online shops to find an outlet for all the surplus product that is being left behind in wholesale fish markets because bars and restaurants aren’t bidding on it. Meanwhile, those websites that were already operational prior to the crisis have experienced large increases in traffic and orders. 

What is most noteworthy is that many of those orders are coming from new customers who had never purchased fish online until now. 

Home deliveries, now more necessary than ever for preventing infection

When the stay home order started, people set out in droves to purchase basic needs products such as toilet roll, bleach, pasta, rice, and beans. 

However, as the isolation and lockdown period continued, consumers also started considering the need to include fish in their diets, which led to a significant increase in visits to these specialised websites.

Traditional fishmongers have turned to a simpler and more traditional method: telephone sales. Many are even accepting orders through WhatsApp. 

Rather than having customers come to the shops to pick up their purchases, these businesses have set up delivery systems with the option of paying by card at the front door. 

It’s quite clear that people don’t want to give up eating fish, yet many are afraid of getting sick if they have to go to the fishmonger’s shop. That’s why an ever increasing number of businesses are now offering home delivery for all kinds of orders. 

Wholesale companies that previously were dedicated exclusively to the HORECA channel (hotels, restaurants and catering) have also joined the home delivery trend. Decreasing sales have prompted them to also accept smaller orders and deliver to customers’ homes.

Are you a fish and seafood distributor or wholesale provider? Do you need any of our PH7 technological solutions to help you sell your products? Don’t hesitate to get in touch with us by filling in this form. We can help you.  

Crustaxyl Zero is an allergen-free, blackspot inhibitor designed for cooked crustaceans. On numerous occasions, before carrying out the cooking processes, defrosts are carried out on imported products previously treated with sulfites. These treatments are not always homogeneous, as some batches may not come with the appropriate PPM’s of sulfites and melanosis may appear when thawed. In order not to increase the levels of sulfites, or to include some other antienzyme such as 4-HR, PH7 Food technology has formulated an additive based on antioxidants that guarantee that during defrosting, melanosis does not appear until it is cooked.

The application is very simple and effective. As a liquid additive, CRUSTAXYL ZERO is applied directly in both the defrosting and cooking water at the percentage recommended according to the technical data sheet and its protocol. The advantages obtained in this treatment are the following:

• Avoid oxidation and enzymatic browning.
• It does not modify the organoleptic conditions of the product.
• Maintains the original color and texture of the treated product for longer.
• Prevents the appearance of brainstorming that are usually common in other types of antimelanotic reinforcement treatments.
• Unlike other sulfite-free additives, it provides intense shine while maintaining the integrity of the eyeball.

For more information, contact the technical-commercial department

After the publication of Royal Decree Law 10/2020 of 29 March which regulates those activities considered to be essential and which must continue to be carried out despite the state of emergency, we want to communicate that PH7 Food Technology is included in that list.

We wish to notify you that we remain active as suppliers of materials that are essential to the production of basic products. All in order to ensure the operation of the supply chain.

The companies that form part of the group include:

–  BARCELONESA DE DROGAS Y PRODUCTOS QUÍMICOS, S.A. –  TARGET QUÍMICA, S.L. –  BDTRANS (ADRTRANS, S.L.) –  BARNASTOCK, S.A.

Nevertheless, if you have any questions or concerns, we are available and you may contact us through any of our regular means of contact.

PH7 Food Technology team.

Cephalopod consumption in Spain is increasing.

Practically every bar and restaurant in the country serves a variety of squid, cuttlefish and/or octopus: octopus, calamari, or pan-grilled or fried cuttlefish in their myriad preparations. They can be served in every way you can imagine: fried, grilled, barbecued, steamed, cooked in different sauces, in stew, with rice, in their own ink, with oil and paprika, or with mashed potato or with aioli. In fact, in cities like Madrid, which is quite far from the sea but still offers an exceptional range of fish and seafood, the fried squid sandwich has become a classic.

However, to be enjoyed in perfect condition, these cephalopods that are so important to our cuisine must have a pleasant texture when eaten. We’re sure you’ve had to turn down a dish of cuttlefish or squid at some point because they were hard, gummy, or rubbery. Well we don’t want that to ever happen again.

With PH7, we have created a line of additives specifically for cephalopods to ensure they remain a delicious delicacy and are always served in the best possible condition. This is an essential catalogue for wholesalers to ensure that the products they sell reach fishmongers and restaurants in optimum condition.

If you want to know more about the main benefits of our cephalopod additives, continue reading.

Methods of preserving cephalopods

We have designed the PH7 line of additives with the primary objective of guaranteeing that the cephalopods, seafood, and fish that reach consumers’ tables are of the highest quality. Seafood products start to deteriorate, and their organoleptic properties begin to change, as soon as they are removed from the sea.

In the past, to prevent these processes, fish were usually salted, smoked, or marinated. This would allow a fish caught in the Cantabrian or Mediterranean Sea to be transported to the heart of Spain in good condition. As techniques advanced, the means of transport also improved, as did the methods of preservation, with significant advances such as ice for preserving fish and refrigerated containers. In fact, the deep-freezing of many types of fish has become a standard practice that prevents the appearance of parasites such as anisakis.

The problem is that from the time the product is caught at sea until it reaches kitchens, its quality deteriorates in a way that can’t be prevented by freezing. What’s more, today fresh fish is still one of the greatest culinary pleasures, but it can’t always be eaten in the same state as it was when it came out of the sea. It’s even possible that such fresh conditions may prevent the product from acquiring the optimal conditions for consumption.

Moisture retainers and texturisers

As we explained in the introduction, another problem which is all too common with cephalopods is consumers often find their texture to be unpleasant. They become rubbery when cooked, causing a sensation similar to chewing a piece of rubber or leather. To avoid this, our R&D department has created a line of texturing agents and moisture retainers exclusively for cephalopods.

This range of products acts directly on cephalopod protein. This allows us to optimise the hydration capacity of the cephalopod, something that directly affects its texture, shape, bite, and even smell.  With PH7, we have developed a wide range of hydrating solutions. If you’re interested in receiving more information on this subject, please visit the product section of our website.

Whiteners and preservatives

Another important issue is the colour of cephalopods. Many have chromatophoric cells that allow them to change colour and camouflage themselves in case of danger (just as they use ink to cloud the water). When caught, chemical oxidation processes occur that result in the products not having the white colour that consumers usually associate with fresh squid or cuttlefish.

To present the product such that it meets the demands of the market, our R&D department has created a line of whitening agents and preservatives that inhibit oxidation and help the squid stay fresh and appetising for longer.

Do you want more information about the additives that improve the texture of cephalopods?

If you want to know more about our PH7 solutions for preserving fish, cephalopods, and other seafood, contact our sales department by filling in this form.