FDA GRAS No Objection Letter for Prebiotic Wheat Bran Extract

The AXOS in Brana Vita are very potent prebiotics, stimulating the growth of beneficial colon bacteria such as bifidobacteria. The ingredient also exerts strong antioxidant activity due to the presence of AXOS-bound polyphenols.

12/9/2010 --- FUGEIA has received the FDA No Objection Letter with regard to the GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) status of its Brana Vita wheat bran extract. This innovative product is rich in cell wall derived arabinoxylan oligosaccharides (AXOS) ; a family of natural soluble fibre constituents. The AXOS in Brana Vita are very potent prebiotics, stimulating the growth of beneficial colon bacteria such as bifidobacteria. The ingredient also exerts strong antioxidant activity due to the presence of AXOS-bound polyphenols. FUGEIA’s product thus addresses the need of food companies keen to make great tasting foods harbouring the goodness of wheat bran to deliver health benefits to the consumer.

“The GRAS status of Brana Vita underscores its safety. This is consistent with its origin from wheat bran origin a healthy food product with a long history of safe human consumption. With this approval, the regulatory path for commercialisation of our ingredient in the U.S.A. is cleared. It is an important step in our overall strategy towards achieving regulatory clearance in all major global markets, as authorities in several countries carefully consider the GRAS status” said Willem Broekaert, the Company’s Chief Technology Officer.

Herman Van Mellaert, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer added: “This is an important milestone for our Company and for our customers preparing product launches in the United States. Food companies want to differentiate their products by delivering great taste and specific health benefits to consumers. With Brana Vita we offer them a natural ingredient from a trusted origin to achieve these goals. The results achieved across a wide range of food categories have been very exciting. Our partners also value the body of scientific evidence that we have created to back up a high-impact commercial launch. ”

FUGEIA develops proprietary ingredients and processes for innovative value-added foods with health benefits. The Company was founded early 2008 in Leuven, Belgium as a spinoff from the University of Leuven and KaHo University College. The Company’s international investor consortium includes Tate & Lyle Ventures, Agri Investment Fund, Gemma Frisius Fund, KBC and BNPParibasFortis.