Cognis Submitting Lutein Ester Dossier to EFSA

MONHEIM, Germany Cognis Nutrition & Health will submit a dossier to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) with additional scientific studies on the benefits of lutein and eye health. EFSA rejected a health claims dossier submitted under article 13.1 of the European Community nutrition and health claims regulation related to lutein. Cognis will submit its dossier, including new studies conducted with its Xangold® lutein ester branded ingredient, under article 13.5, appealing the initial EFSA opinion.

While we were initially disappointed in the EFSA ruling, in reviewing the opinion, we have identified areas that can be more clearly supported with strong scientific evidence that has evolved since the original submission was completed over three years ago, said Holger Becker, Ph.D., Xangold global product manager, Cognis Nutrition & Health.

He added the company is emphasizing Xangold continues to be a fully approved ingredient in the EC and can be used for multiple nutritional applications. The EFSA opinion is limited only to proposed health claim labeling so nothing has really changed regarding the regulation of lutein esters as a nutritional ingredient, he said. Now our focus is on the future and how we effectively provide the evidence EFSA requires so that the appropriate health claims can be used by our customers.