EFSA OKs Chitin-glucan Fiber as Novel Food Ingredient

ST. LOUIS, Mo.Stratum Nutrition announced the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (DNA) determined Stratums chitin-glucan ingredient, Artinia, is safe for use as a food ingredient at the proposed conditions of use and intake levels. Artinia (listed as KiOnutrime-CG in the EFSA's scientific opinion) is a high-purity, natural, fungal ingredient that features the benefits of both soluble and insoluble fibers. Artinia is a chitin-glucan fiber, derived from the mycelium of non-genetically-modified strains of Aspergillus niger and contains 80% dietary fiber, primarily insoluble.  

"We look forward to assisting our European customers in the development of products that utilize Artinia, an ingredient with solid intellectual property, strong scientific and clinical research and great potential in products designed to support arterial and overall heart health," stated Michael Faber, Business Manager in Europe and Asia for Stratum Nutrition.  

As reviewed by the DNA, the novel food ingredient is intended to be marketed as a food supplement in the form of a powder in different formats such as gelatin capsules or tablets, to increase the daily intake of fiber. The intended intake of chitin-glucan is 2 to 5 g/day. At the highest dose administered in a 13-week rat study (equivalent to 6.6 g/kg body weight per day in males) no adverse effects were observed.

A 12-week animal and a 30-day human pilot study indicate benefits for arterial and overall hearth health. Artinia supports clean, healthy arteries, and has been shown to reduce the level of oxidized LDL. Artinia is obtained exclusively from renewable, non-GMO sources and is manufactured in a ISO-9001:2008 certified facility, Kosher and following HACCP method.  Artinia is certified Kosher and Halal, hypoallergenic, and is suitable for vegetarian customers.

Stratum expects to see final approval on this novel food ingredient from the European Commission by October of 2010.