The dry grape extract (Nor-Grape 80) developed and commercialized by Nor-Feed is the first botanical sensory additive authorized for animal nutrition by the European Commission.
Nor-Feed is thus recognized for its work on grape extract characterization and standardization, which started shortly after the company was established in 2003.
This decision was voted on unanimously in mid-November by the Plants Committee of the Animal Nutrition & Veterinary Medicines (ANVM) during a regulatory session.
It was preceded by the positive opinion published by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) Scientific Committees in June 2016 and the evaluation of Nor-Feed methods of analysis by the European Reference Laboratory (EURL) in March 2016.
The EFSA had stressed the efficacy and safety of the use of dry grape extract in animal feed.
Many leaders in the animal health and nutrition industry are already using Nor-Grape 80 to "compensate for oxidative stress in animal farming" and "to bring water-soluble biological antioxidants,” using Nor-Feed publications to build their own allegation dossier, according to a company spokesperson.
The guarantee of a standardized project
Its guaranteed content of polyphenols of several types is particularly interesting for the industry stakeholders such as pre-mixers, food manufacturers and breeders.
Alexia Lepont, Head of Nor-Feed Quality and Regulatory Affairs, said this decision is important in two ways: "The presence of the dry grape extract on the official European Union Register is for us—and our customers—the guarantee that our product is duly standardized and based on sound and validated scientific bases.” She added, "To our knowledge, there is no other product based on grape extract being currently evaluated by EFSA.”
Finally, since the authorization was based on the results provided by Nor-Feed, it is the company methods of analysis and characterization of active substances (total polyphenols, proanthocyanidins, and anthocyanins) which will be used for the evaluation of possible future grape extracts looking for the same authorization.
A structuring research topic
Grape extracts are an essential R&D topic at Nor-Feed and have been for more than 10 years.
Paul Engler, R & D Manager of the Nor-Grape range, is conducting his Ph.D. thesis on this issue within the SONAS laboratory (University of Angers).
Nor-Grape 80 is now one of Nor-Feed’s scientific and commercial pillars. Numerous trials are being carried out to further confirm the benefits of the product in breeding.
Sold in over 20 countries worldwide, it is entering the composition of more than 10 million tons of complete feed.
More information
- The results of the vote of the ANVM Plants Committee may be viewed at ec.europa.eu
- The scientific positive opinion of the EFSA is posted at efsa.europa.eu/
