EU Regulations Stymie Phytosterol Market Growth

EU Regulations Stymie Phytosterol Market Growth

LONDONA complex regulatory structure in the European Union (EU) ishampering the growth of the emerging functional food market for phytosterols,according to a summary on the market from Frost & Sullivan. While more than3,000 tons of plant sterols and stanols were used in the EU in 2003, theapplication process for marketing new foods using these ingredients can takebetween five and 10 years, and cost up to $400,000. More information on theEuropean phytosterol market is available from the market research firm (www.frost.com).