Maritech fucoidans gain European novel foods status

10 Jan 2018 --- Marinova’s Maritech fucoidan extracts have gained novel foods status in the EU. Extracted from Undaria pinnatifida and Fucus vesiculosus seaweed, these bioactive marine ingredients mark the first fucoidans to receive approval as novel foods. The official approval notice was issued by the Superior Health Council of Belgium on 5 December, 2017, making Maritech fucoidans the only fucoidan ingredients with global regulatory acceptance. This includes FDA notified GRAS in the USA, TGA listable ingredients in Australia, NHP listed in Canada, KFDA registered in Korea and now novel foods status in Europe, Claire Smoorenburg, Marketing & Communications Officer at Marinova, tells NutritionInsight.

According to Smoorenburg, the company’s proprietary, solvent-free extraction technology was a key factor in demonstrating substantial equivalence in the novel foods process. Using green-chemistry principles, the technology preserves the natural structure and bioactivity of fucoidan during extraction, resulting in an ingredient equivalent to fucoidan present in everyday-consumed seaweeds.

The company reports that extensive research has demonstrated the unique and diverse bioactivities of Maritech fucoidan in a range of human health applications, including immune support, digestive health, anti-inflammation, viral inhibition and integrative oncology.

As a natural polysaccharide found in the cell walls of brown seaweed, fucoidan has been consumed and used therapeutically for hundreds of years. Seaweed remains a staple of the Asian diet and is rapidly growing in significance in Europe and other western countries as research continues to reveal its health benefits.

“The achievement of novel foods status truly sets Maritech fucoidan apart from its competitors,” comments Paul Garrott, Managing Director at Marinova, adding that “regulatory approval such as this is testament to the quality of our products and further consolidates our position as the leading manufacturer of high purity fucoidan extracts in the world.”

“This approval has increased the market opportunity for our fucoidan ingredients significantly, especially now that they are the only fucoidans to achieve novel foods status,” Smoorenburg adds. “The biggest potential for Maritech fucoidan in Europe currently lies in nutritional supplements and functional foods and beverage applications. Following this approval, we will continue to work with our European partners to deliver our fucoidan ingredients into the European market. We are very confident that this latest accreditation will attract new customers, as well as create opportunities for our existing clients who are looking to extend their products into Europe.”

“We will be continuing our extensive research program in the areas of integrative oncology, immune modulation, anti-inflammation and digestive health, to further consolidate the evidence supporting the safety and bioactivity of our fucoidan ingredients,” she concludes.

By Lucy Gunn