The European Commission has published a new regulation1 amending the previous regulation2 as regards the conditions of use of astaxanthin from the algae Haematococcus pluvialis in food supplements. The revised regulation now allows supplement brands to extend their range of products containing astaxanthin at maximum levels of 2.3 mg/day for 3-10-year-old children and 5.7 mg/day for 10-14-year-old adolescents. The level for general population older than 14 years remains at up to 8 mg astaxanthin per day.
The new regulation also changes the labelling requirements. The previous regulation3 required food supplements containing astaxanthin-rich oleoresin from the algae Haematococcus pluvialis to carry a statement indicating that they should not be consumed by infants, children and adolescents under the age of 14. The new regulation1 specifies that the labelling of these food supplements shall bear a statement indicating that they should not be consumed:
- if other food supplements containing astaxanthin esters are consumed on the same day
- by infants and young children under 3 years of age
- by infants and children under 10 years of age*
- by infants, children and adolescents under 14 years of age*
*depending on the age group the food supplement is intended for.
Astaxanthin is known to be the most powerful antioxidant, with health benefits supported by a compelling body of scientific studies. Astaxanthin belongs to the carotenoid family called xanthophylls and is a red pigment found in algae, yeast, bacteria, and fungi. Astaxanthin is naturally occurring in foods such as salmon; unfortunately, the levels in the diet are not comparable to dose levels recommended to experience the most health benefits, which are related to supplementation and food fortification.
Algalif and Divi’s Nutraceuticals have joined their expertise to develop highly concentrated beadlets of sustainable natural astaxanthin. Algalif’s production process, located in Iceland, uses renewable energy, and provides highly concentrated premium astaxanthin oleoresin naturally sourced from microalgae. Divi’s takes advantage of its expertise in fat-soluble ingredient formulation to transform this oleoresin into exclusive, highly concentrated AstaBead beadlets that contain 5% astaxanthin.
AstaBead beadlets allow easy handling and show excellent performance in applications. AstaBead comes in two formulations. The first form enables the production of tablets by direct compression without oil extrusion or discoloration. It can also be used in hard-gelatin capsules and nutritional bars. The second form is a fast-dispersing astaxanthin benefiting from Divi’s innovative CaroQuik formulation. It is suitable for fortified powdered beverages, whether packaged in canisters or today’s popular sticks and disperser caps.
Divi’s technical and application experts will support you at each stage of your project, from the conception to the realization. Contact Divi’s today to talk about your requirements.
1.Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/1581 of 1 August 2023 amending Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/2470 as regards the conditions of use of the novel food ‘astaxanthin-rich oleoresin from Haematococcus pluvialis algae’
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2023/1581/oj
2.Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/2470 of 20 December 2017 establishing the Union list of novel foods in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2015/2283 of the European Parliament and of the Council on novel foods
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2017/2470/oj
3. Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/1377 of 19 August 2021 authorising the change of the conditions of use of the novel food astaxanthin-rich oleoresin from Haematococcus pluvialis algae under Regulation (EU) 2015/2283 of the European Parliament and of the Council and amending Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/2470
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2021/1377/oj
