Luo Han Guo Gets GRAS

Amax NutraSource (City of Industry, CA) announced that in April, it received an FDA “no objections” response to the Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) notice submitted for its luo han guo (Momordica grosvenori) natural sweetener. The ingredient is also GMP certified, ISO 9001, HAACP, and kosher.

The company says that luo han guo has an intense sweetness similar to sugar, allowing low levels of the juice extract to be used. “Because it contains a sweetness and flavor profile similar to sugar, it has the potential to be much more widely accepted for its sweetening properties than other natural products currently available,” the company says on its website.

The company is also working with Procter & Gamble on extraction, stating that P&G’s proprietary process produces a less-intense odor and better color, making the luo han guo better suited to a broad range of beverages and food.