Arboris says its plant sterol functional food ingredient, Protanica, has received non-genetically modified organism (GMO) verification from the Non-GMO Project, North America’s independent non-GMO verification lab.
This certification states that any non-GMO verified food product can incorporate the product as a functional ingredient without concern of losing its non-GMO status.
The company says Protanica is currently the only plant sterol that is currently registered by the Non GMO Project.
Certification process
The Non-GMO Project evaluates and tests products for conformance to rigorous best practices for GMO avoidance.
Products that pass are awarded The Non-GMO Project Verified Seal, which can be used on product packaging to demonstrate this high-level of non-GMO assurance.
The verification is proven through a systematic program that evaluates both a product’s ingredients (including testing of risk ingredients) and its manufacturing facilities to assess compliance with the Non-GMO Project Standard.
This assessment includes testing at numerous process points within the production chain (commonly after harvest), with each point requiring demonstration that the ingredient is in conformance with the Non-GMO Project Standard.
No-GMO food market
The movement towards non-GMO foods in the US is following the EU’s longer-established market trend where many EU countries prohibit GMOs in their foods.
Protanica, has been used as a functional food ingredient in Europe for many years, favored because it has been clinically proven to lower cholesterol naturally, the company said.
“Well established in European markets, the demand for non-GMO foods is continuing to grow in the US as people want to know what is in the foods they are consuming,” said Manuel Canales, president and CEO.
“As a result, we are seeing an increased interest among food manufacturers looking for non-GMO ingredients, including those that provide heart-healthy cholesterol-lowering properties. And that’s good news for everyone.”
Arboris introduced Protanica to North America earlier this year.
The initial markets include dairy, baked goods, yogurt and smoothies.
