RFI Ingredients and Ilhwa North America are pleased to announce that an independent expert panel has given GS15-4®, the “21st Century Ginseng,” self-affirmed GRAS (generally recognized as safe) status. After a comprehensive evaluation of research studies and toxicology data, the panel concluded that GS15-4 is safe for use as an ingredient in a variety of products including beverages, confectionery products, dietary supplements and nutritional bars. According to the FDA, self-affirmed GRAS status is awarded to any substance that is generally recognized among qualified experts as having been adequately shown to be safe under the conditions of its intended use and is manufactured in accordance with current good manufacturing practices. 

“GS15-4 is a breakthrough technology using enzyme fermentation to produce a completely balanced ginseng extract in its end-stage metabolite form,” said David C. Konn, president of Ilhwa North America. “Human clinical studies have proven that it provides 15 times higher absorption, four times faster absorption and five times more consistent absorption.”

“Ginseng has been one of the top-selling herbal supplements for years. With self-affirmed GRAS status, we can now offer an improved, more bioavailable ginseng for use in many more applications,” said Jeff Wuagneux, RFI’s president and CEO. RFI is the exclusive manufacturing, formulation and sales partner of Ilhwa NA Inc., a wholly owned U.S. subsidiary of Korea’s groundbreaking leader in ginseng science, Ilhwa. 

For more information, visit both companies at RFI’s booth (#24035) at Supply Side West.