Prebiotic wins GRAS approval

07-Sep-2008 - Last updated on 08-Sep-2008 at 16:06 GMT

Whey and milk-based ingredients specialist, Friesland Foods Domo, has received GRAS status (generally recognized as safe) for its prebiotic ingredient Vivinal GOS from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

As a result, Vivinal GOS can now also be used in infant formula and other food categories.

The company said the FDA replied with no questions following the company’s GRAS submission.

GOS gains GRAS

“The FDA’s written response that it has reviewed the submitted safety evidence and has no questions about the GRAS determination for Vivinal GOS is an important acknowledgement for Friesland Foods Domo professionalism with regard to safe ingredients,” said Friesland managing director, Roelof Joosten.

“It is for that reason that Friesland Foods Domo is recognized by food companies worldwide as a specialist in high-quality ingredients.”

Vivinal GOS is Friesland’s prebiotic ingredient consisting principally of galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS).

Prebiotics such as GOS are known to stimulate growth of healthy bacteria in the stomach which are known to benefit gut health and boost the immune system.

Friesland says Vivinol GOS improves calcium absorption in addition to its fibre content.

The low-pH ingredient has been GRAS-approved in infant nutrition as well as dairy, drinks, bars and fruit preparations and is available in syrup and powder form.

“Based on its beneficial and health promoting properties, it is a perfect ingredient in products for specific target groups of individuals such as infants, who can derive extra benefit from Vivinal GOS”, said Roelof Joosten.

The ingredient is present in a shot drink called CoolBest Vitaday in the Netherlands, a product that is marketed as supporting the immune system.

Friesland has been a player in the prebitoics market since the 1990s when it launched Vivinal GOS. The ingredient initially targeted the infant nutrition market but was increasingly being used in dairy products and fruit-based drinks.

Friesland has expanded its plant capacity with a multi-million euro investment at its Borculo facility in the Netherlands.

At this facility an all-natural enzyme is added to the lactose component of the whey (the liquid remainder in the production of cheese), converting it to soluble fibre.

Friesland has five production sites in the Netherlands as well as Dutch, Malaysian, US and UK sales offices.

Friesland Foods Domo is a subsidiary of Royal Friesland Foods.