EFSA Issues Positive Safety Opinion on Kaneka’s Glavonoid

Glavonoid is an original product of Kaneka Corporation and is manufactured from root of liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.), containing 30% liquorice glabra polyphenols and no glycyrrhizinic acid.

Jul 22 2011 --- Kaneka Pharma Europe N.V., being responsible for the Health Care Products business of Kaneka Corporation in Europe, announced that EFSA concluded that Glavonoid is safe as food supplement and as an ingredient for fruit juices, yoghurts and yoghurt drinks.

Glavonoid is an original product of Kaneka Corporation and is manufactured from root of liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.), containing 30% liquorice glabra polyphenols and no glycyrrhizinic acid, and standardized to 3% Glabridin which is a major active component. The liquorice plant that serves as the source for Glavonoid has a history of consumption for the past 6000 years and has a long history of use in Europe as flavoring and sweetening agent in various food categories.

DNA microarray analysis revealed that Glavonoid has a unique two-way mechanism that genes involved in fatty acid synthesis are down regulated and those involved in fatty acid oxidation are up-regulated. Recently an open-label, cross-over study with young women demonstrated a significant skin temperature elevation on forehead and abdominal area by a single dose ingestion of Glavonoid.

Kaneka Corporation set up studies to assess the mutagenic potential, 90-day repeated dose toxicity study and medium-term liver bioassay for carcinogenesis, and could confirm the safety of Glavonoid. In addition, human studies including single-dose, continuous-dose (up to 12 weeks) and excessive-dose studies showed no adverse effects, confirming the safety of the continuous intake of the product. These studies allowed Kaneka to notify Glavonoid as a New Dietary Ingredient (NDI), which has been accepted by American FDA. After that, the self-affirmed GRAS status opened up the food fortification market in US.

Kaneka continues to monitor the safety of Glavonoid containing products sold globally and scientists are expanding the research to support appropriate dosage levels for food supplements and to expand food categories in Europe to which it can be added.

Glavonoid has been sold in Japan and US as one of the first nutrigenomic supplements.