Burcon Announces GRAS Status for Puratein & Supertein

Burcon's Puratein and Supertein are the first canola protein isolates to have attained GRAS status in the United States.

08/10/08 Burcon NutraScience Corporation announced that its Puratein and Supertein canola protein isolates are GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) for their intended use in a variety of food and beverage applications. The products have been self-affirmed GRAS through an independent evaluation by a panel of qualified experts in the fields of food safety, toxicology, nutritional sciences, food allergies and pediatric nutrition. Burcon's Puratein and Supertein are the first canola protein isolates to have attained GRAS status in the United States. GRAS status permits Puratein and Supertein to be marketed and used in a variety of mainstream foods and beverages for human consumption.

Puratein and Supertein are expected to participate with soy, dairy and egg proteins in the multi-billion dollar global protein ingredient market. Protein ingredients are valued for both their nutritional qualities as well as their functional applications in foods and beverages.

Puratein is a canola protein isolate with functional properties that include emulsification, gel formation, thickening, formation of heat-stable foams, and water- and ingredient-binding. Applications for Puratein include dressings, meat substitutes, baked goods and protein bars, among many others.

Supertein is a canola protein isolate with functional properties including excellent solubility, the ability to form transparent solutions and foaming. Applications for Supertein include beverages, confectionery, aerated desserts, and protein bars, among many others. Nutritionally, the proteins are equally exciting with unique amino acid profiles.

"Achieving GRAS status is a major advancement in the commercialization of Puratein and Supertein, the world's first food-grade canola proteins," stated Johann F. Tergesen, Burcon's President & COO who added, "We benefited from the expertise of our development partner, Archer Daniels Midland Company, throughout this process. Our combined team is focused on creating a competitive advantage for food and beverage manufacturers with these exciting new proteins."

GRAS status is the standard set by the US Food and Drug Administration for food ingredients to be accepted for use in foods and beverages. "GRAS" is an acronym for the phrase: "generally recognized as safe". With announcement, Burcon's Puratein and Supertein are self-affirmed GRAS. Burcon and ADM have chosen to also pursue GRAS notification for Puratein and Supertein. GRAS notification is a voluntary procedure whereby a company informs the FDA of its determination that the use of a substance is GRAS. A substance is GRAS Notified when, after reviewing the GRAS notification, the FDA responds with a no-objection letter if it is satisfied with the submission. It is important to note however that Burcon's Puratein and Supertein canola proteins are considered GRAS from the date for the intended applications.