2/25/2011 --- Applied Food Sciences, Inc. has obtained self-affirmed GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) status for its GCA-branded all-natural green coffee bean extract ingredient for use in food and beverages applications.

"Over the past several years we have invested a significant amount to standardize our manufacturing processes, conduct human clinical studies and position our green coffee bean extract to meet increasing customer demands,” said Chris Fields, Applied Food Sciences' Vice President of Scientific Affairs. “GRAS status will help strengthen the GCA brand.”

“Our GCA green coffee extract has been successfully applied for several years as an active ingredient in dietary supplements in the United States, Europe and Japan,” said Loretta Zapp, CEO at Applied Food Sciences. “Achieving GRAS status and meeting the highest regulatory requirements in the U.S. is an accomplishment which will help support our customers in their food and beverage innovations utilizing the recognized health benefits of our extract,” she added.

GCA is derived from unroasted raw green coffee beans standardized for the ideal polyphenolic acid profile. GCA has supporting science and product efficacy for applications in health and wellness which include weight management, glucose management, blood pressure maintenance and can provide for an effective delivery of highly bioavailable antioxidants.

The independent third-party expert panel, led by a team at AIBMR Life Sciences, was of the opinion that the additional daily intake of a total of 2.10 grams of GCA (30.0 mg/kg body weight) was acceptable. GCA is available in caffeinated and decaf versions. Applications within many of the following food categories have been successfully commercialized with efficacious dosages between 250 – 500 mg per serving for: baked goods, beverages, breakfast cereals, chewing gum, dairy product analogs, fruit and water ices, smoothies, sauces, spices, seasonings, milk products, and snack foods.