Coffee extract achieves GRAS status

Illinois-based FutureCeuticals has self-affirmed GRAS status in the US for its line of patented coffee extracts after an assessment by a three-strong independent panel.

extracts and concluded it is GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) in the US food supply.

The Kosher and GMO-free extracts come from the whole fruit of the coffee plant, Coffea Arabica.

The company markets CoffeeBerry on its antioxidant content which is rated at 15,000 ORAC units for one gram of its 85% phenolic acid version.

It said this ORAC level was present in 33 grams of blueberries.

"We have invested considerable resources to ongoing research and clinical testing of our CoffeeBerry technology and its many possible applications,” said Futureceuticals general manager, John M Hunter. “The results continue to support the product line's health benefits."

FutureCeuticals emphasizes the fact its coffee extracts retain the nutritional profile of the whole coffee fruit which it said may lead to boosted antioxidant activity, although the scientific literature remained inconclusive.

Companies in nutritional supplements, retail coffee, beverages, cosmetics, and sports nutrition were showing interest in the extracts, the company said.

"We are very excited by the numerous inquiries, partnerships, and exclusive licensing that the CoffeeBerry product line has been generating,” Hunter said.

The expert panel consisted of:

Walter H Glinsmann, MD: President of Glinsmann Inc, a food safety evaluation firm and a Fellow at the American Society for Nutritional Sciences;

James T Heimbach, PhD., President of consultancy, JHeimbach LLC food and Fellow at the American College of Nutrition;

John A Thomas, PhD.: Professor Emeritus and former Vice President of Academic Services at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio, TX.

Glinsmann and Heimbach formerly held posts at the Food and Drug Administration.