GRAS for cholesterol-lowering ingredient
for its cholesterol-lowering ingredient Diminicol. The award is
expected to strengthen the firm's position both in the US and other
functional food markets.
Finnish company Teriaka has received GRAS status from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its cholesterol-lowering ingredient Diminicol. The company expects to see a rise in sales of the product in the US functional food market.
Diminicol contains plant sterols in what the company claims is a 'unique microcrystalline structure'. Teriaka added that there is significant evidence showing that Diminicol reduces cholesterol.
The product, which is patented both in the US and other markets, can now be used as an ingredient in different foods including margarine and vegetable-based spreads, yogurt products, milk-based juice drinks, cream cheese, snack bars and bread.
GRAS (Generally Recognised As Safe) status is widely recognised worldwide, and is likely to open doors in many other markets. Diminicol is also approved as an ingredient in foods and non-alcoholic beverages in Mexico. The company is currently awaiting novel foods approval for the ingredient in Europe.
A member of the Paulig Group, Teriaka also makes functional ingredients based on herbs and spices.
