Merit Functional Foods, Winnipeg, Manitoba, announced that its high-protein product portfolio has obtained Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) status from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Merit’s product portfolio currently consists of three product family offerings, sourced and produced in Canada: pea, non-GMO canola and MeritPro, a lineup of nutritionally complete proteins. Merit’s ingredient portfolio aligns with numerous key consumer concerns, including clean-label, allergen-free, gluten-free, non-dairy, non-GMO, vegan, and, now, GRAS, the company says. Its canola protein received GRAS notification in August 2010, and now GRAS notification was extended to Merit’s pea protein ingredients: Peazazz and Peazac.

Symrise, Teterboro, N.J., announces the addition of extraction capabilities for botanicals and vanilla at its Teterboro facility. These natural extracts now can be offered directly to clients, shortening their lead times and gaining supply chain efficiencies for them. It also allows for more flexibility in extract formats because they can be customized to a specific application or customer requirement, especially when creating signature products. The new extractions can be used across a wide variety of applications including yogurts, ice creams, desserts, bakery, confectionery, protein shakes and beverages — both alcohol and non-alcohol offerings.

Fiberstar Inc., River Falls, Wis., launched a new website: fiberstaringredients.com. After extensive research, Fiberstar revamped the website to improve the digital experience, the company says. The website now offers global visitors updated ingredient usage tables by food application and video tutorials. This site also gives the market access to industry news and technical blogs. The redesigned homepage highlights Citri-Fi’s natural citrus fiber products, applications and digital videos. In addition, it features Citri-Fi’s certifications including FSSC22000, Non-GMO Project Certification and GRAS.

MGP Ingredients Inc., Atchison, Kan., a supplier of premium distilled spirits and specialty wheat proteins and starches, announced the appointment of James Hewlette as beverage alcohol sales manager for the Asia-Pacific region.

Broomfield, Colo.-based Mile High Labs, a producer of hemp-derived cannabidiol (CBD), has been inducted into the United Natural Products Alliance (UNPA). The FDA currently does not have regulations in place for the production and packaging of dietary supplements or food containing CBD. As a result, the quality, consistency and purity of CBD products can vary significantly, the company says. Membership in the UNPA recognizes Mile High’s dedication to compliance, quality and transparency, it adds.

On behalf of its subsidiary Boortmalt, Paris-based Axereal announced it has acquired the malt business of Minneapolis-based Cargill. The acquisition meets two strategic objectives: to invest in the downstream of barley to increase the value of barley production on farms in France and internationally, and to ensure a long-term vision for its cooperative farmers while maintaining a competitive trajectory and respecting the environment, the company says.