Cognis Expands Tonalin® GRAS Status

LA GRANGE, Ill.—Cognis Nutrition & Health announced it received a “no questions” letter from FDA in response to its GRAS (generally recognized as safe) notification (GRN 00232) on its Tonalin® CLA (conjugated linoleic acid). The new notification expands the GRAS status of Tonalin CLA into milk and flavored milk products, yogurt products, fruit juice products, soy milk beverages, and meal replacement beverages and bars. Tonalin is also self-affirmed GRAS for coffee creamers and chocolate.

After self-affirming Tonalin CLA as GRAS in 2004 in consultation with a panel of independent experts, Cognis submitted this voluntary notification to FDA in coordination with Lipid Nutrition, another branded CLA manufacturer. FDA’s written response provides assurance to food manufacturers and consumers that FDA has reviewed the submitted safety evidence and does not object to the overall GRAS conclusion for Tonalin CLA in its intended use in the above food categories.

Cognis is sponsoring a free, live Webcast on Aug. 14, 2008, to explain the commercial opportunities and consumer benefits to be derived from this expanded GRAS status; registration is now open online. Elizabeth Sloan, Ph.D., will highlight the current consumer dynamics driving market demand for body composition products and present valuable new market data, and share new consumer market research indicating that sales for functional foods containing ingredients such as Tonalin CLA are projected to be “off the charts.”

“Tonalin could help revolutionize the way people reduce body fat,” said David Eckert, vice president, Cognis Nutrition & Health. “Our goal is to support our customers as they help consumers achieve their body composition goals with delicious, yet healthy foods and beverages. As the most recognized brand of CLA, Tonalin is the ingredient of choice for functional food and beverages targeting consumers interested in safely and effectively improving their body composition by reducing body fat.”

Eckert pointed out Cognis offers a unique service perfect for food companies launching new products with Tonalin. Through its partnership with WILD Flavors Inc., Cognis and WILD offer turn-key Tonalin solutions to help food manufacturers achieve stable, great-tasting products. “We help our customers avoid the often time-consuming and costly hurdles often associated with adding new functional ingredients.” More on this topic will be discussed in the Aug. 14 Webcast.