European Patent Approved for Lyc O Mato

BEER SHEVA, IsraelLycoRed has been granted a European patent for its proprietary process to extract Lyc-O-Mato® oleoresin from tomatoes. The new patent is similar to those granted in other regions, including the United States (US #7,641,931), and adds to the extensive intellectual property (IP) held by LycoRed for its natural products and their application and indications.

This process granted the new European patent is the basis for the Novel Food approval of this tomato extract and for its food additive status in Europe.  It is also the basis for the GRAS (generally recognized as safe) affirmation and for the Color Additive Petition in the United States.

Yoav Blatt, Ph.D., chief technology officer for LycoRed, said  the new patent is a positive step in LycoRed's continued efforts to serve its customers worldwide with excellent, high-quality and highly effective ingredients.  "This is important news for the food and beverage industries, where fortifying foods with ingredients offering added health benefits is a key to higher profits, he said. Food manufacturers should always be cautious when choosing an ingredient purported to provide health benefits.

Blatt explained Lyc-O-Mato contains a specific proprietary natural composition of tomato lycopene and other tomato phytonutrients, including phytoene, phytofluene, tocopherols, phytosterols and beta-carotene. Clinical studies have shown greater intake of lycopene from tomatoes is associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease, and may also offer additional benefits in blood pressure management. Lyc-O-Mato, a tomato lycopene complex, when taken orally, also helps provide year-round protection against free-radical damage and environmental stress, helps to protect the skin from sun exposure and to maintain the healthy appearance and structure of skin that has been exposed to sun.