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.