Decas to double cranberry seed oil production

The privately-held company, which claims to be the only vertically integrated producer of cranberry seed oil, launched its OmegaCran last year. After developing a niche market in cosmetics, it has also gained interest from supplement makers looking for a natural source of antioxidants and vitamin E. However Douglas Klaiber, general manager of Decas Botanical Synergies, said the biggest demand will soon come from producers of mainstream foods that are increasingly seeking to boost the nutritional value of their products. "We have companies looking to use it in cereals, breads and also as a dietary supplement in beverages," he told NutraIngredientsUSA.com. Approval of a qualified health claim for omega-3 rich fish oils earlier this year has given the product a significant boost. "Although we can't use the new health claim for fish oils, it has really sparked interest in omega-3s. And consumers are smart enough to make the jump," explained Klaiber. Marketed under the brand name OmegaCran, the Decas product is described as a clear golden oil with a butter flavour and a light fruit overtone. It is shelf-stable and although more expensive than fish oils, can be blended with other omega-3 sources to offer a full spectrum profile. Cranberry seed oil has the highest level of tocotrienols, a form of vitamin E, among all natural sources, as well as omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. It also has the lowest level of saturated fat of the most commonly used edible oils. Decas Botanical Synergies (DBS) is a division of Wareham, Massachusetts-based Decas Cranberry Products. External links to companies or organisations mentioned in thisstory: Decas Botanical Synergies