Naturex, Avignon, France, announced that a scientific opinion in support of a safety requested extension was released by the European Food Safety Association to the European Commission for Naturex’s Talin, a natural extract from the fruit Thaumatococcus Danielli. The extension will allow Talin to be used in an increasing number of applications including alcohol beverages to lift and rebalance the overall flavor of the product. It also will permit an increase of the currently approved maximum use level from 0.5 mg per liter to 5 mg per liter in flavored drinks, the company says.

Flavorchem Corp., Downers Grove, Ill., announced a new line of Non-GMO Project Verified flavors. Non-GMO verified flavors currently offered include cocoa, coffee, orange, lime, peppermint and lemon. Additional verified flavors will continue to be added, the company says.

Firmenich, Princeton, N.J., named coconut 2016’s Flavor of the Year. The company notes that in the United States, coconut water first appeared in yoga studios, and that the association between wellness and coconut has remained strong. Since 2010, the number of coconut-flavored food and drink products introduced to the global market has increased by 121 percent, with an annual growth rate of 17 percent, it adds.

Beneo, Mannheim, Germany, announced that the EU Commission authorized a 13.5 health claim with proprietary use for its chicory root fiber inulin, which promotes digestive health. This authorization allows for the claim “chicory inulin contributes to normal bowel function by increasing stool frequency” to be used by Beneo’s customers as of Jan. 1, the company says. Additionally, general health-related well-being claims under article 10.3 also now are possible.

Fort Worth, Texas-based Parker Products recently rebranded to more fully communicate its product and service offerings, including its food and beverage ingredients, the company says. The new brand launched Jan. 17-19 at the 2016 Winter Fancy Food Show in San Francisco.

New Hope Dairy Holding Co. Ltd., a milk manufacturer in China, launched two new ready-to-drink, dairy-based milk beverages featuring essential nutrients and Wellmune, an ingredient of Eagan, Minn.-based Biothera Health Inc., a Kerry Group company. Star of Hope Children’s Milk Vigorous and Star of Hope Children’s Milk Smart are fortified with Wellmune, which is a yeast beta glucan with the ability to naturally strengthen children’s immune systems. The first of its kind in China, the beverages also help support children’s energy and brain development along with providing clinically proven immune support, the company says.

Treatt, Suffolk, U.K., launched a new microsite: treattbrewsolutions.com. The website takes the company’s brewing services to the next level, it says. It allows users to get to know the ‘what?’, ‘why?’ and ‘how?’ behind Treatt’s natural ingredient offerings and demonstrates the company’s passion for bringing innovative new solutions to brewers, particularly with consumers’ increasing demand for new flavor profiles. The website also features a blog, where Treatt’s team shares its thoughts and passions on a range of topics tailored to brewers’ interests, including technical and trend-led features.

Atlanta-based CP Kelco announced its intent to build a new state-of-the-art manufacturing plant in North America for gellan gum and its specialty xanthan gum. “In light of the continued increase in global demand for gellan gum and specialty xanthan gum across all regional markets, investing in a new production facility demonstrates our commitment to serve as a sustainable provider and leading innovator of these high-performance products over the long term,” said Don Rubright, president of CP Kelco, in a statement.