Monday 28 November 2011

Carboxymethylcellulose update

Back in June I looked at the latest application to add an additive to the list allowed for winemaking in Australia. Sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMC for short) has subsequently been approved for use as an additive, the change to Standard 4.5.1 taking effect with gazettal on November 17th. The story appeared today in the Australian under the surprising headline 'Nod for laxative chemical to be used in winemaking'. CMC does indeed have laxative properties (Schultz, 1949). It would be interesting to compare the laxative dose with the concentration to be used in wine. I've now updated the additives table with the inclusion of CMC.