EFSA Gives Nod to Hydroxytyrosol Heart Health Claim

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA; Parma, Italy) has granted a health claim for hydroxytyrosol and the protection of blood lipids from oxidative damage, according to ingredient marketer P.L. Thomas (Morristown, NJ).

Hydroxytyrosol is a polyphenol found in olive fruit and oil. The cardiovascular health claim extends to hydroxytyrosol and its related polyphenol compounds.

Several studies suggest that these polyphenols can result in a dose-dependent reduction of damaged low-density lipoproteins when taken for three weeks. In order to bear the claim, EFSA stated that a product must provide a daily dosage of at least 5 mg of hydroxytyrosol and its derivates.

P.L. Thomas is the exclusive NAFTA-region marketer of Hytolive, a patented hydroxytyrosol ingredient from Genosa ID, S.A. (Malaga, Spain).