Naturex “breaks new ground for tumeric in US” as Turmipure Gold receives GRAS status

21 Jan 2020 --- Naturex has obtained self-affirmed GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) designation for its highly bioavailable natural turmeric extract, Turmipure Gold. Last month, a panel of independent scientists evaluated the use of Turmipure Gold concluding that it is recognized as safe under the conditions of intended use in a wide range of food categories including beverages.

GRAS status is the standard set by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the acceptance of food and beverage ingredients. This decision means that Turmipure Gold can be safely used in a wide range of US food and beverage applications for turmeric extract standardized in curcumin. The ingredient is now authorized for both intuitive and effective daily intake in categories that include beverage and beverage bases, confectionery products, dairy and dairy analogs.

“The GRAS status means we’re able to begin opening up our health and wellness portfolio to food and beverage customers. This isn’t just a first for Naturex, it’s a first for the market: Turmipure Gold is the first turmeric extract standardized in curcumin(oids) that is self-affirmed GRAS in food & beverage applications,” Alexis Manfré, Global Product Manager for Turmipure Gold tells FoodIngredientsFirst. 

“With Naturex’s and Givaudan’s combined portfolios, the approach fits well with our transition into more and more integrated solutions for our customers. We are increasingly able to provide one-stop solutions that cover everything from visual appeal to taste and texture all the way to the product’s nutritional profile and functional benefits.”

Because Turmipure Gold is instantly water-dispersible, micro-granulated and more taste-neutral, it is very well-suited to a wide range of applications, Manfré notes. “Turmipure Gold now benefits from the largest F&B application possibilities for a turmeric extract standardized to curcumin, allowing intuitive to effective daily intake in a range of food categories.”

These include Beverages and Beverage Bases (up to 432mg/serving for Energy Drinks), Coffee and Tea (up to 360mg/serving for Specialty coffee drinks), Confectionary (soft candy, Hard candy, chewing gum up to 300mg/serving for gummies), Dairy Product Analogs (up to 300mg/serving), Milk products (up to 300mg/serving for functional dairy drink with probiotics), Cereal, Granola, Energy, Protein or meal replacement Bars (up to 285mg/serving), Meat analogs (up to 150mg/serving), Processed fruits and fruit juices, processed vegetables and vegetable juices (up to 300mg/serving for functional fruit and/or vegetable-based shot drinks), Soups (up to 75mg/serving).

“We hope to see Turmipure Gold on store shelves is the full range of authorized applications in the coming years,” Manfré continues. “Over the past five years, we’ve seen demand for turmeric grow massively in the US but also in Europe and emerging markets. The challenge is to go to the next level and meet consumer demand for convenience, clean label and efficacy at a low dose. Being able to serve the functional food market is a great advancement in addressing consumer needs in these areas.”

“In addition to high bioequivalence at a low dose, which makes Turmipure Gold both highly effective and convenient, it also meets a wide range of other consumer demands. It’s 100 percent natural, sustainably sourced and traceable, as well as vegan, clean label, non-GMO, and Kosher. We also offer a 100 percent organic-certified grade. The extract really checks all of the boxes when it comes to the latest consumer trends,” Manfré concludes. 

An effective 300 mg dose of Turmipure Gold can now be incorporated in a single functional 2-oz shot drink. Because of the ingredient’s increased bioavailability, this single 300 mg serving delivers the same amount of curcuminoids to the blood as 1922 mg of standard turmeric (containing 95 percent curcuminoids), allowing food and beverage manufacturers to offer tangible benefits to their consumers, notes Naturex.

Formulated for easy incorporation in food and beverage applications, Turmipure Gold, also available in organic certified grade, provides instant water-dispersibility, a low effective dose, neutral taste and appealing color. It has also demonstrated great stability of curcuminoids to heat and light, including in beverages, says Naturex.

At IFT 2019, the company presented several plant-based concepts, including Turmipure Gold, to highlight the diversity of their portfolio and also how the taste-masking properties of Givaudan’s flavors business can now be used to optimize the flavor of plant-based nutritionals.

By Gaynor Selby