US company Applied Food Sciences (AFS) has achieved GRAS (generally recognised as safe) status for its patented Potassium Hydrogen Glucarate.
The company claims that Potassium Hydrogen Glucarate (PHG), which is sold in bulk under the brand name Preventium, is one of the few nutritional ingredients which has received GRAS status by an independent third-party toxicology panel, following the recommendation guidelines published by the FDA.
Obtaining GRAS by this safety panel will mean further opportunities to expand applications in the conventional food and beverage markets, said the Austin-based company which develops proprietary technologies such as dietary supplement ingredients, food and beverage processing technologies and functional ingredients for food and beverages.
"Technical experts at Applied Food Sciences are able to provide hands-on development assistance to explore and create innovative formulations to achieve a higher value to the consumer," said Chris Fields, vice president of technical and quality affairs for AFS.
PHG fortification can be used in a variety of beverages such as fruit and vegetable juices, energy and sport drinks and breakfast drinks, as well as ready-to-eat cereals, nutrition bars, spreads, jams, jellies and confectionery. PHG is soluble in water and does not affect the taste profile or mouth feel of the final product.
"We are extremely excited about providing the food and beverage industry with another nutritional ingredient which is safe and effective for use in conventional foods," said Loretta Zapp, chief executive officer of AFS.
"Our GRAS dossier for PHG is an excellent example of the effort and quality we put into all of our products and technologies at Applied Food Sciences," she added.
Applied Food Sciences claims that more than 120 research publications, presentations and abstracts have shown that glucarate possesses a wide range of detoxification and hypocholestermic properties. Studies also indicate that glucarate may help the body regulate hormone levels and increase overall immune health.
Applied Food Sciences also develops CDG, a patented dietary supplement ingredient that is sold in bulk to companies such as Rexall Sundown, EAS, Weider Nutrition International, Twin Lab, Enzymatic Therapy and Natrol.