Cognis Achieves Novel Food Approval for CLA in China

Potential food applications include, but are not limited to, milk and flavored milk products, yogurt products, fruit juice products, soy milk beverages and meal replacement beverages and bars.

15 Oct 2009 --- Cognis Nutrition & Health has announced that the Ministry of Health of the People’s Republic of China has recognized Tonalin as an approved Novel Food. From now on, the most clinically studied brand of CLA (conjugated linoleic acid) can be utilized in an expanded range of functional foods and beverages in the Chinese market.

“Our goal is to support our customers as they help consumers achieve their body composition goals with delicious, yet healthy foods and beverages. We are delighted that our Tonalin CLA is now approved as Novel Food in China and Cognis is the only company that has achieved this status”, says Arne Ptock, Global Product Line Manager Tonalin. “Having realized considerable success with Tonalin CLA in dietary supplements over the last decade, Cognis has the technical and marketing experience to support food manufacturers in creating successful products for healthy fat loss.”

CLA from Cognis Nutrition & Health is the most clinically-tested CLA, having been used in the majority of human trials on body composition. Tonalin is derived from safflowers using a proprietary process to create the highest quality of commercially available CLA. A naturally sourced product, it comes in several forms, such as oil and water-dispersible powder, making it suitable for applications in food, beverages and dietary supplements. Potential food applications include, but are not limited to, milk and flavored milk products, yogurt products, fruit juice products, soy milk beverages and meal replacement beverages and bars.

The effectiveness of Tonalin in food products was already demonstrated in recent research on its effects in a skimmed milk product. Results of the randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial showed a significant reduction of body fat mass (BFM) in overweight subjects, indicating that CLA can be as beneficial in a functional food matrix as it is when taken in a supplement.

“Tonalin could help revolutionize the way people reduce body fat,” comments Leon Chen, Business Manager China Cognis Nutrition & Health. “The Ministry’s decision means it can be added to nearly all kinds of food, including health food.”

In July 2008, Cognis achieved the US Food and Drug Administration GRAS status for Tonalin CLA. Cognis also applied for Novel Food approval in Europe and expects to gain Novel Food approval in 2010.

Tonalin CLA is an exclusively licensed product of the Cognis Group.

1. Laso, N., Bruque, E., Vidal, J., Ros, E., Arnaiz, JA., Carne, X., Vidal, S., Mas, S., Deulofeu, R., Lafuente, A.: Effect of milk supplementation with conjugated linoleic acid (isomers cis-9, trans-11 and trans-10, cis-12) on body composition and metabolic síndrome components. Br J Nutr 2007; Jul 11: 1-8