The Ministry of Health of the People’s Republic of China now recognizes Tonalin® CLA as an approved Novel Food ingredient for use in dietary supplements and a broad range of foods and beverages, Cognis Nutrition & Health announced today.  The Chinese government granted approval only for CLA (conjugated linoleic acid) that meets the high quality standards established by Cognis in its submission to the Ministry.  Approval applies to both supplements and foods because both are regulated under the food category in China.

Cognis is the only company to have the approval for CLA to be used in products sold in China.  The approved serving amount is up to six grams a day of CLA.

“The fact that the Chinese government adopted our stringent specifications as the standard  demonstrates their commitment to food safety and quality control,” said David Cai, Ph.D., Research Manager & Principal Scientist, Cognis Nutrition & Health, North America & Asia.  “Cognis has certainly set the bar extremely high in China and this Novel Foods approval serves as further affirmation that Tonalin® CLA is synonymous with high quality.”

The Novel Food approval stipulates that CLA ingredients that do not meet the specifications established by Cognis cannot be sold or used in China.  Dr. Cai explained that due to recent safety issues in China, the Chinese government will only approve ingredients backed by credible science, high quality sourcing and a sound safety record.  “The approval of Cognis’ Tonalin® CLA demonstrates the Chinese government’s confidence in Cognis’ materials, quality and credibility.”

Arne Ptock, Cognis’ Global Product Line Manager for Tonalin® said, “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.”

Tonalin® CLA is recognized for three key benefits:

Reduces up to 10 percent of body fat
Maintains and increases lean muscle and aids calorie burning
Prevents fat cells from refilling to stay leaner longer
Natural-source and highest quality

Tonalin® is the most clinically tested CLA brand, 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, fats and cooking oils, dairy, beverages, frozen drinks, chocolate, wheat products, baked goods, coffee, fruit juice products, soy milk beverages and meal replacement beverages and bars.

Recent research in a skimmed milk product demonstrates the effectiveness of Tonalin in food products. 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.1

Novel Food approval in China is similar to the US Food and Drug Administration GRAS process.  It is designed to evaluate if the new ingredient is safe to be used in supplements and foods.  The evaluation is conducted by government-appointed experts from toxicology, nutrition, life science, food science and related disciplines. In July 2008, Cognis achieved the FDA GRAS status for Tonalin CLA.  Cognis also applied for Novel Food approval in Europe and expects to gain Novel Food approval there in 2010.

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

For more information about Tonalin® CLA or to place an order, visit www.cognis.com and www.tonalin.com, call 800.673.3702, or e-mail cognis.custserv@cognis.com. 

About Cognis:

Cognis  (www.cognis.com) is a worldwide supplier of innovative specialty chemicals and nutritional ingredients, with a particular focus on the areas of wellness and sustainability. The company employs about 5,600 people, and it operates production sites and service centers in 30 countries. Cognis has dedicated its activities to a high level of sustainability and delivers natural source raw materials and ingredients for food, nutrition and healthcare markets, and the cosmetics, detergents and cleaners industries. Another main focus is on products for a number of other industries, such as coatings and inks, lubricants, as well as agriculture and mining.

Cognis is owned by private equity funds advised by Permira, GS Capital Partners, and SV Life Sciences. In 2008, Cognis recorded sales of about 3 billion euros and an Adjusted EBITDA (operating result) of 351 million euros. 

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