LycoMato® NowGRAS

LycoMato® NowGRAS

NEW YORKLycoRed NaturalProducts Industries Ltd. announced it received a response from the Food and DrugAdministration (FDA) regarding its GRAS (generally recognized as safe)submission covering LycoMato® oleoresin and the LycoPen® formulations. LauraTaranatino, director of FDAs Office of Food Additive Safety, sent a letter toLycoRed stating, Based on the information provided by LycoRed, as well asother information available to FDA, the agency has no questions at this timeregarding LycoReds conclusion that their tomato lycopene extracts (1.5% and6%) and crystallized tomato lycopene extract are GRAS under the intendedconditions of use.

LycoRed had previously announced it self affirmed theingredients as GRAS through an independent scientific review; but, the companystated it the FDA notice was appreciated. LycoRed is pleased with thispronouncement by FDA that paves the way for more food manufacturers to benefitfrom the marketing trend in food fortification, said Dave Thomas, director ofmarketing and business development for LycoReds food division. The healthbenefits of tomato phytonutrients, lycopene in particular, are being touted inthe news with increasing frequency. ... Fortification with tomato lycopene satisfies an importantconsumer need.