The independently designated as GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) status means the ingredient can now be used in beverages. Bringing an appetite suppressant and weight loss ingredient into functional beverages represents the marriage of two very successful market concepts. Functional beverages are a delivery system of choice for nutraceutical companies these days as evidence shows consumers take easily to these products, while the US weight management market is the world's largest. Derived from a South Asian fruit called Garcinia cambogia, Sabinsa says CitrinK has been marketed as a dietary supplement ingredient in the US since 1995 for supporting a healthy body weight and energy, as well as positively impacting satiety. CitrinK is standardized for hydroxycitric acid (HCA) and has been linked to inhibiting the synthesis of fatty acids in the liver, as well as encouraging a sense of being 'full' sooner. The demand for such ingredients is driving the development of safe and proven applications that meet regulations. Approximately one third of Americans are obese and Euromonitor International estimated that in 2005 the US weight management supplements market was worth $3.93bn, while the entire European market stood at $0.93bn. Meanwhile recent figures from analyst Mintel indicate the functional beverage market shot up by 30 percent in the past five years, to reach $9.8bn in 2007. Not only do beverages lend particularly well to fortification, but they have the added allure of convenience because they are portable. According to Sabinsa, an independent panel of internationally recognized experts deemed CitrinK to be GRAS following a critical review of extensive safety data. The panel's evaluation drew on scientific procedures and safety assessment criteria established by the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA). Sabinsa holds several US patents surrounding HCA for weight loss and appetite suppression.
