Artinia Declared Safe by EFSA Panel

Stratum Nutrition’s (St. Louis) Artinia chitin-glucan fiber, targeting arterial and heart health, has been determined safe as a novel food ingredient by the European Food Safety Authority’s (EFSA) panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition, and Allergies (DNA).

Following a scientific review, Artinia was declared safe for use in foods at an intake level of 2 to 5 g/day.

In July, Stratum reported that a safety and toxicology report on Artinia, published in the journal Food and Chemical Toxicology, found Artinia to have no toxicity effects. The 13-week rat study observed no adverse events when rats were administered a high dose equivalent to 6.6 g/kg body weight per day. A 30-day human pilot study has also been performed on the ingredient.

In other news, Stratum said that its parent company, Novus International Inc., has acquired the IQF Group, a Spain-based producer of nutritional additives for the food industry, as well as a range of carotenoids for foods, beverages, and supplements.

Stratum’s product portfolio will now include some of IQF’s carotenoids. New additions include Betacol nature-identical beta-carotene, Canthacol canthaxanthin, and Lutecol lutein.