Larch Arabinogalactan OK’d by TGA

WODEN, Australia—The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), part of Australia’s Department of Health and Ageing, announced July 8 that Larch arabinogalactan is now approved as a therapeutically active ingredient for oral use. Previously in Australia, Larch arabinogalactan had been approved as a food additive only. Three requirements have to be met for approval:

• The ingredient arabinogalactan (Larix) is derived from Larix larcinia or Larix occidentalis;
• The concentration of polysaccharides in the ingredient arabinogalactan (Larix) is greater than or equal to 85 percent; and
• The maximum recommended daily dose of the ingredient arabinogalactan (Larix) is not to exceed 15 grams.

Basel, Switzerland-based Lonza, which supplies Larch arabinogalactan, issued a statement regarding TGA’s approval. “This new approval is good news, as Larch arabinogalactan, which we sell as an ingredient for use in products positioned for digestive health benefits under the brand name, FiberAid™, was not approved for such applications in Australia,” said René Blum, global head of regulatory affairs for nutritional ingredients, Lonza. FiberAid™ is self-affirmed GRAS (generally recognized as safe) with FDA notification. In the European Union, Arabinogalactan is listed in the Novel Food catalogue, published June 17, 2008, for use as a food supplement.