Scientific Panel Deems Pycnogenol GRAS

HILLSIDE, N.J.--Natural Health Science announced its Frenchmaritime pine bark extract, Pycnogenol, was self-affirmed GRAS (generallyrecognized as safe) and is approved for applications in functional foods andbeverages. The announcement was given by George A. Burdock, Ph.D., a diplomat onthe American Board of Toxicology, during a May 7 VendorWorks presentation atSupplySide East. Burdock was a member of the scientific panel of toxicologyexperts that approved Pycnogenol's GRAS status. He stated the research involvingPycnogenol has shown it is not mutagenic, and that in humans it is bioavailableand excretable. The panel concluded Pycnogenol is GRAS in amounts of 10 partsper million (ppm) for beverages and 20 ppm for foods. Approved applicationsinclude baked goods, breakfast cereals and bars, processed fruits andvegetables, jams and jellies, soft candy, chewing gum, margarine, sauces, fatsand oils, and alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.