Intrinsic Organics’ artichoke inulin scores GRAS status with US FDA

16 Apr 2020 --- US-based company Intrinsic Organics’ Jerusalem artichoke inulin has received a Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) No Objection Letter from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The letter affirms the artichoke fiber’s safety for food applications. The company’s Jerusalem artichoke inulin fiber can help formulators add dietary fiber and texture, as well as reduce sugar, fat and calories. Moreover, it is 100 percent US Department of Agriculture (USDA) organic-certified, the company notes.

“As a main market player for Jerusalem Artichoke fiber, we are the first inulin manufacturer capable of producing USDA organic inulin in industrial quantities from Jerusalem artichoke in North America. With global market demand in the thousands of metric tons for organic inulin, and favorable market trends pointing to further growth, we are seeing many opportunities for this ingredient in the natural and organic market,” notes Kyle Griffiths, Chief Marketing Officer of Intrinsic Organics.

“We provide customers with a great solution to reduce added sugars, add dietary fiber claims and provide prebiotic claims. It is also a label-friendly ingredient,” Griffiths adds. 

The Jerusalem artichoke fiber is grown and manufactured in the US and marks the company’s first ingredient launch. 

The Jerusalem artichoke fiber is grown and manufactured in the US and marks the company’s first ingredient launch. 

“This GRAS approval provides further validation of our mission of growing organic crops in the US for the production of clean, minimally-processed food ingredients for use in food, beverage and supplement products,” says CEO Dave Erlebach. 

Inulin from natural sources thrives
With two-thirds of consumers in Europe and the US saying that digestive health is very important to them, products that boost gut health continue to trend. The green-lighting of – what was initially – eight fibers by the US FDA in June 2018 to be classified as “dietary fibers” on the Nutrition Facts label marked a turning point for the industry. Within a year, NPD with fiber saw a double-digit growth and many more players continue to enter the arena.

Glucomannan, which is found in the root of the konjac plant (also known as the elephant yam), is set to also be added to the US definition of dietary fiber. The US FDA will add the ingredient to its list of nine other non-digestible carbohydrates it proposes to include within the definition of dietary fiber. In the meantime, the agency plans to “exercise enforcement discretion” to allow manufacturers to include the amount of these additional fibers in the dietary fiber declaration on the Nutrition and Supplement Facts labels.

Irish-based CyberColloids discussed functionalized fibers in a recent report. The company is highlighting these as a clean label replacement for hydrocolloids, which are classified as food additives in Europe. Meanwhile, consultancy company New Nutrition pegged 2020 as the year of inulin. 

Israeli company Galam also showcased its novel fiber ingredient at ProSweets in Cologne, Germany earlier this year. Speaking to NutritionInsight Liat Shemesh, Category Manager at Galam, highlighted the ingredient’s potential in reducing sugar content, amid industry moves toward healthier formulations. GOFOS is a fructooligosaccharide (FOS) derived from beet sugar that, apart from gut-health related properties, can offer sweetening power of up to 30 percent. 

Edited by Kristiana Lalou