Safety data compiled by the firm for its Tonalin brand conjugated linoleic acid has been approved by a panel of independent experts and the ingredient is now Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) for use in yogurt, meal replacement bars and drinks, fruit juices, chocolate, milk-based beverages and coffee cream substitutes.
Tonalin is intended to help consumers lose body fat, maintain lean body mass, prevent fat regain and contribute to improved overall health. It is already used in supplements but functional foods present a much larger market opportunity, especially in the US, the world's biggest weight management foods market.
And with obesity escalating fast, this market looks set to expand.
Dutch firm Lipid Nutrition, which announced the safety approval of its Clarinol brand just last month, said it expected food use to more than triple current demand for CLA.
Cognis, which claims its product is the market leader, has spent a sizeable sum on consumer branding and awareness of Tonalin, and may therefore have the edge on its rival.
Sales of Tonalin products have grown by more than 400 per cent since 1997 demonstrating a broad consumer following for the CLA.
"We expect the high level of consumer awareness for the Tonalin brand to grow even more as a result of national radio and print advertising campaigns, widespread media coverage, and in-store promotions," added Scott Backman, Cognis' market development manager for Functional Food and Food Technology.
Marketers of CLA products draw attention to the ingredient's ability to reduce fat without the effects of other stimulant products. Safety approvals will add further to CLA's credibility.
Heather Nelson Cortes, who heads Cognis' global science program for Tonalin, noted that seven clinical studies published within the last four years all indicate significant improvement in at least one body composition measurement with Tonalin CLA, which is made by converting linoleic acid from safflowers.
She added that it may help tone the body without necessarily causing overall weight loss. "It is thought to do this in several ways: by decreasing the amount of fat stored after eating, increasing the rate of fat breakdown and metabolism -- helping your body use its existing fat for energy -- and decreasing the total number of fat cells."
CLA is available as oil, water-dispersible powder and emulsions for use in different food products.