GRAS Science Adds Up for ChromaxGRAS Science Adds Up for Chromax

GRAS Science Adds Up for Chromax

PURCHASE, N.Y.

Nutrition 21 Inc. released an addendum to the GRAS(generally recognized as safe) determination for the use of its Chromaxchromium tripicolinate, saying the consistent lack of adverse toxicological orgenetic effects in vivo supports the July 2002 GRAS determination. Among therecent studies cited by Nutrition 21 in support of GRAS status was in vitro andin vivo research from the National Toxicology Program (NTP), which showedchromium tripicolinate (anhydrous) did not produce chromosome damage to mousecells in vivo, nor did it cause damage in two salmonella bacterial mutationassays (http://ntp-server.niehs.nih.gov).Thus, these additional studies confirm the conclusions in the GRAS reviewthat chromium tripicolinate is not genotoxic in vivo and the lack of significantgenotoxicity findings contrasts directly to the reported effects detected in theartificial environment of cell culture screening tests, Nutrition 21 wrote inits addendum.

In related news, Richard Anderson, a researcher at the U.S. Department ofAgricultures (USDA) Human Nutrition Research Center, spoke out against theEnglish Food Standards Agencys (FSA) attack on chromium picolinate in its May8 dietary recommendations for vitamins and minerals. Im disappointed thatthis U.K. agency has misrepresented the large body of scientific evidence thatsupports the safety of chromium picolinate supplementation, which is affirmed asGRAS in the United States, he said.

For more information, visit www.nutrition21.comor Booth #5949 at the IFT Food Expo.