UK-based Horphag Research announced that its pine bark antioxidant Pycnogenol is now GRAS (generally recognized as safe) for applications in various food and beverages.
Pycnogenol brand French maritime pine bark extract, distributed in the US by Natural Health Sciences, is already available in hundreds of dietary supplements, multivitamins and health products worldwide.
The company revealed the news at the SupplySide East tradeshow in Secaucus, New Jersey this week. Pycnogenol has been available for several years as a supplement ingredient but NHS has been stepping up marketing of the ingredient in the US. The use of Pycnogenol in food and drinks will significantly expand the product's reach in the health food market.
"With growing consumer demand for this super antioxidant, Horphag has anticipated the launch of the Pycnogenol brand into the functional food market," said Victor Ferrari, chief operating officer and executive vice president of Horphag Research.
The product can now be added to baked goods, breakfast cereals, bars, processed fruits and vegetables, soups, soft candy, chewing gum, margarine, and alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
Ferrari added that the company is currently determining how the ingredient will help enhance a formula or fill a void in company product lines.
Speaking at a seminar on the Pycnogenol GRAS application at SupplySide on Wednesday, toxicologist Dr George Burdock who reviewed the scientific evidence on the ingredient said: "This degree of documentation and number of human studies is a lot better than I have seen before."
Pycnogenol is considered a more powerful antioxidant than grape seed extract or vitamin E. It has been associated with strong eye health benefits and was recently included in a Twinlab formula, Dia-Balance, likely to be a significant boost for the company.