Eggshell Membrane Joint-Health Ingredient Deemed Safe in Journal Review

A 500-mg daily dose of ESM Technologies’ (Carthage, MO) NEM natural eggshell membrane joint-health ingredient has been shown to be safe for human consumption, according to a safety review published online ahead of print in Food and Chemical Toxicology.

The review evaluated NEM at doses of up to 50 times the clinically tested human-equivalent dose, scrutinizing areas of cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, and oral toxicity (both single acute dose and 90-day repeated dose). The in vitro and in vivo safety and toxicology studies discussed in the article were performed by various independent research labs.

NEM already bears GRAS status for food safety. The GRAS affirmation has allowed the ingredient to be used in such food products as beverages and beverage bases, fruit and vegetable juices, baked goods, candy, and snack food, the company says. ESM also adds that NEM’s Allowable Daily Intake (ADI) is up to 14 g/day for food use and intake.

Kevin Ruff, PhD, MBA, the company’s director of scientific and regulatory affairs, added via press release, “Although a food-based product such as eggshell membrane would be expected to be inherently safe, we wanted to demonstrate that elevated levels of NEM could be consumed with complete confidence.”