Plant sterols win Australian approval
Cognis has won hard-to-come-by approval from the Australian Thepareutic Goods Administration (TGA) to use its anti-cholesterol, plant sterol ester ingredient, Vegepure, in food supplements.
The approval means plant sterols can be used in supplements in recommended doses between 2g and 3g (minimum of 1.3g) and come with warnings that state:
“There is no benefit from taking more than 3g/day of phytosterols from all sources” and “Not suitable for pregnant or lactating women”.
It is estimated more than 50 per cent or 6.4 million Australian adults have high blood cholesterol.
“Foods and beverages containing plant sterol esters such as table spreads and milk are well established in the market and in the coming months we should see capsules on the shelf,” said Simon Lord, regional business manager for Cognis Australia.
Cognis said the ingredients could be safely consumed in conjunction with statin drugs.
