ESM Technologies self-affirms GRAS for egg membrane ingredients
The company’s NEM (natural eggshell membrane) ingredient attained the GRAS status following safety and toxicology reviews by an independent expert panel, said the company.
“Attaining GRAS status for our cornerstone ingredient, NEM, demonstrates our continued commitment to safety and quality and will allow additional markets to benefit from its proven clinical efficacy,” said Kevin Ruff, ESM Technologies’ director of scientific & regulatory affairs.
According to the company, the food and beverage applications suitable for the ingredient include fruit and vegetable juices, baked goods, soft candy and snack foods.
The Allowable Daily Intake (ADI) for NEM is up to 14 grams per day for food use and intake, said ESM.
Joint health benefits
The ingredient’s potential benefits for joint health are supported by findings from clinical trials. Last year, data from a randomised, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
A daily supplement of 500 milligrams of eggshell membrane was found to not only reduce joint pain, but also stiffness, with effects noted after only ten days, according to results published in Clinical Rheumatology (Vol. 28, pp. 907-914).
Commenting on the bio-active ingredients, the researchers note that the membrane contains both glycosaminoglycans and other proteins reportedly essential for maintaining healthy cartilage in the joints.
