The FDA has approved Cargill’s GRAS (generally recognised as safe) notification for its EpiCor postbiotic use in certain foods and beverages.
The product is a dried yeast fermentate, which the company says has been shown in dietary supplement trials to beneficially modulate the gut microbiota and provide immune system support. The letter of no objection enables food and beverage manufacturers to incorporate EpiCor into various foods and beverages.
“Increasingly, consumers are seeking food and beverages that offer better ways to support their health,” said Chuck Warta, President, Cargill Health Technologies. “Through our work in understanding and influencing the microbiome, Cargill is creating solutions like EpiCor postbiotic that support digestive and immune health at all stages of life and help both people and pets live more healthy days.”
Earlier this month, the International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP) published a consensus statement on the definition and scope of postbiotics in the Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology journal. This consensus definition states postbiotics are “a preparation of inanimate microorganisms and/or their components that confer health benefits on the host.”
“This definition validates EpiCor as a postbiotic. Having an internationally recognized definition is an important step in broadly bringing the benefits of postbiotics to consumers,” said Liz Spence, General Manager for EpiCor. “As a leader in postbiotic technology, we are continually investing in research and innovation and EpiCor postbiotic’s GRAS status helps to further demonstrate the safety of this platform.”
Fifteen published studies, including eight human clinical trials, reportedly support the product’s postbiotic’s health benefits related to both digestive and immune support.
Beyond its researched health benefits, the company says, product developers will appreciate its ease of use. Because a postbiotic is not a live organism, it is highly heat stable and can handle varying pH levels.
Cargill also recently received Non-GMO Project Verification for the product.
