Lonza announces GRAS status for L-carnitine products

Swiss chemicals company Lonza has been awarded GRAS status for two of its L-Carnitine products.

The company announced that an external scientific panel has found that the L-Carnipure L-Carnitine Crystalline and L-Carnitine L-Tartrate are GRAS (General Recognised As Safe) for the general population, when used as a food ingredient at specified levels.

Lonza​ will now be hoping that functional food and beverage manufacturers in the US use the ingredients in their products.

L-Carnitine, a vitamin-like nutrient, occurs naturally in the human body and is essential for turning fat into energy. Already a popular dietary supplement among some who use the supplement to help post-exercise recovery, research has shown that L-Carnitine promotes cardiovascular health. Other studies suggest that L-Carnitine may be useful in weight management.

Independent scientists examined information compiled by scientific and regulatory consulting firm Cantox Health Sciences International. The information included both publicly available scientific information, as well as information proprietary to Lonza's L-Carnipure L-Carnitine products.

L-Carnitine Crystalline and L-Carnitine L-Tartrate are GRAS for use at defined levels in specific foods such as energy drinks, fruit juices, fruit-flavoured drinks, protein bars, meal replacements, health/breakfast bars, imitation and soy milk and carbonated soft drinks.

Dr Paula Gaynor, associate director of scientific affairs at Lonza said: "Having acquired GRAS status for our L-CARNIPURE products, we can now provide functional food manufacturers with a new and novel way to meet consumer demands for foods that benefit their health and increase their well-being. Obtaining GRAS status is further evidence of Lonza's ongoing commitment to improving L-Carnitine's scientific and regulatory status."​

Lonza Group, which last year had sales of SF1.87 billion, is the world's largest manufacturer of L-Carnitine and claims to be the only manufacturer that guarantees 100 per cent pure L-Carnitine, completely free from harmful D-Carnitine.

L-Carnipure L-Carnitine Crystalline contains 100 per cent L-Carnitine, while L-Carnitine L-Tartrate (US Patent 5,073,376 and other international patents) consists of 68 per cent L-Carnitine and 32 per cent L-tartaric acid.