ActiVin, FloraGLO GRAS Approved

MODESTO, Calif.--In the wake of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cracking down on botanical ingredients in food products, two companies have received generally recognized as safe (GRAS) approval for their nutritional ingredients.

Dry Creek Nutrition (www.activin.com), based here, announced June 7 that its ActiVin grape seed extract was approved GRAS by the Flavor and Extract Manufacturers Association (FEMA). According to the company, the recognition should position the company for growth in the functional foods category. "Achieving GRAS approval validates ActiVin as a safe ingredient for use in functional foods and beverages and will help food manufacturers better differentiate their product offerings in a fiercely competitive category," said Dry Creek's president, Peter Kovacs.

On June 14, Kemin Foods said it had self-affirmed FloraGLO lutein (www.floraglolutein.com) as GRAS using a panel of scientific experts under the regulatory framework established by FDA. According to Kemin, consumer recognition of the health benefits of lutein has increased dramatically in recent years; it is primarily used for eye health. "Awareness of lutein is up to seventy percent among health-conscious consumers, creating significant demand for functional food products to include lutein," said Alex Fink, Kemin Foods brand manager. "Now that we have GRAS approval, [we] are poised to move forward in the functional food market."