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European Food Safety Authority issues positive opinion for erythritol’s use in beverages

BELGIUM – March 5, 2015 – Responding to an extensive dossier submitted by Cargill, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) today published a positive opinion, confirming that erythritol, a zero-calorie, bulk sweetener, is safe for use in beverages at a maximum use level of 1.6%. The move represents an important milestone toward EU approval for the use of erythritol in beverages, and follows the EU’s previous 2006 authorization of the use of erythritol in foods.

While EFSA previously granted a favorable opinion for the use of erythritol in food products, the Authority invited Cargill to demonstrate that the sweetener is well-tolerated by young children, as it is in adults, when used in beverages. As a result, Cargill launched a three-year clinical study with 4-to-6 year-olds to substantiate the high tolerance of Zerose® erythritol in young children. The results of the peer-reviewed study, published in the March 4, 2015, online edition of the European Journal for Clinical Nutrition¹, confirmed that young children tolerated a single dose of 250 ml beverages containing 6 percent Zerose® erythritol equally well as control beverages containing sugar.

“Cargill welcomes the EFSA opinion supporting the safety of erythritol in beverages, and looks forward to the day when our customers can offer European consumers new innovations in better-tasting, non-caloric beverages,” said Peter De Cock, a global nutrition and regulatory manager at Cargill.

Another important component of Cargill’s EFSA submission was support from UNESDA, the European beverage industry association. According to De Cock, beverage manufacturers understand well the high consumer interest in innovative, reduced-calorie beverages, especially when Zerose® erythritol is paired with steviol glycosides.

“With Zerose® erythritol, beverage manufacturers can make reduced/zero-calorie beverages that taste more like sugar-sweetened products,” De Cock said, noting that Zerose® erythritol also has masking effects which can help mitigate the off-tastes and lingering sweetness associated with high-intensity sweeteners. “Reducing calories from beverages – without sacrificing taste – is highly desired by our customers and their consumers.” This positive opinion will enable Cargill to help our customers thrive, whether their challenge is a new product or a reformulated one. Cargill continues to draw on our expanded portfolio of sweetener options, unmatched technical expert support and global insights to create new solutions for new beverage applications.

In addition, zero-calorie Zerose® erythritol has no glycemic effect at all, has the best digestive tolerance of all polyols, and can play a role in reducing dental carries risk.  

Today’s announcement builds on similar safety reviews conducted in the EU and around the globe. Zerose® erythritol is currently approved and marketed for use in foods and beverages in more than 60 countries, including the U.S., Argentina, Australia, Brazil, China, Japan and India.

Cargill looks forward to the European Commission and Member States translating this positive EFSA opinion into the EU Food Additives regulation that will extend the current legal use of erythritol as a flavor enhancer to flavored non-alcoholic beverages, later this year.

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About Cargill

Cargill provides food, agriculture, financial and industrial products and services to the world. Together with farmers, customers, governments and communities, we help people thrive by applying our insights and 150 years of experience. We have 143,000 employees in 67 countries who are committed to feeding the world in a responsible way, reducing environmental impact and improving the communities where we live and work. For more information, visit Cargill.com and our News Center.

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