Frutarom’s vitamin K2 MK-7 receives self-affirmed GRAS status

Frutarom Health, Switzerland, has announced that UniK2, the company’s natural vitamin K2 MK-7, has obtained self-affirmed Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) status based on a critical assessment and acceptance of a qualified, independent scientific panel.

The status allows UniK2 to be utilised as a food ingredient in dairy products, soy milk, fruit drinks and sport drinks, as well as baked and bar products, such as muffins, quick breads and nutritional bars.

Frutarom Health product manager Wouter Haazen said that a comprehensive assessment of research and toxicology studies was conducted to ensure that UniK2 meets the highest standards of the self-affirmed GRAS determination.

"This important achievement allows us to service functional food and beverage markets worldwide," Haazen added.

Frutarom noted that UniK2 has been developed from natto-derived Bacillus subtilis, a rich natural source of Vitamin K2, and it provides Vitamin K2 as a menaquinone-7 (MK-7) – a bioavailable and bioactive form of vitamin K.

The high bioactivity of MK-7 is primarily due to longer half-life in blood, making it an important form of vitamin K with activity outside the liver.

UniK2 is produced in a sustainable manner, where nearly 100% of the waste is recycled for the production of other materials or to produce thermal energy.

UniK2 is also capable of meeting food processing demands such as high temperature stability and dispensability.

In addition, the low recommended dosage per serving makes the ingredient cost-effective and attractive for the functional food and beverage markets, the company said.

UniK2 is available in two levels of concentration – UniK2 MK-7 powder 0.2% and UniK2 MK-7 oil 0.15%.

Frutarom is a provider of flavour and fine ingredients for the food and beverage, nutraceutical, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.

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Image: The self-affirmed GRAS status allows UniK2 to be utilised as a food ingredient for baked and bar products, dairy products, soy milk, fruit drinks and sport drinks. Photo courtesy of Frutarom.