Cognis Nutrition & Health, the world’s leading producer of natural lutein esters, announced today that it will submit a dossier to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) with additional new science, including studies conducted with its Xangold® branded ingredient. This move follows the EFSA’s recent rejection of a health claims dossier submitted by member states for lutein products.

Cognis will submit this new information under article 13.5 of the European Community nutrition and health claims regulation. The company is appealing the EFSA opinion cited in article 13.1 by presenting a comprehensive new submission with the new scientific data.

“While we were initially disappointed in the EFSA ruling, in reviewing the opinion, we have identified areas that can be more clearly supported with strong scientific evidence that has evolved since the original submission was completed over three years ago,” said Holger Becker, PhD, Xangold® Global Product Manager, Cognis Nutrition & Health.

Dr. Becker pointed out that it is important for customers and prospects to understand that Xangold® continues to be a fully approved ingredient in the EC and can be used for multiple nutritional applications. “The EFSA opinion is limited only to proposed health claim labeling so nothing has really changed regarding the regulation of lutein esters as a nutritional ingredient. Now our focus is on the future and how we effectively provide the evidence EFSA requires so that the appropriate health claims can be used by our customers,” he said.

About Xangold®
Xangold® natural lutein esters are a highly bioavailable source of lutein and appeal to manufacturers for their stability and long-lasting potency. Xangold® is extracted from marigold flowers grown specifically for Cognis and is available as oils and beadlets. Scientific studies have consistently shown that lutein from lutein esters has equivalent bioavailability, and may be even superior to that of free lutein. The Xangold® product line offers non-GMO, kosher and vegetarian-source lutein esters for a variety of product applications. Xangold® was the first source of lutein to complete the FDA GRAS notification process in January 2003.

For information in North America about Xangold® natural lutein esters, visit www.cognis.com , call 800-673-3702 to place an order, or e-mail [email protected] .

About Cognis
Cognis is a worldwide supplier of innovative specialty chemicals and nutritional ingredients, with a particular focus on the areas of wellness and sustainability. The company employs about 5,600 people, and it operates production sites and service centers in 30 countries. Cognis has dedicated its activities to a high level of sustainability and delivers natural source raw materials and ingredients for food, nutrition and healthcare markets, and the cosmetics, detergents and cleaners industries. Another main focus is on products for a number of other industries, such as coatings and inks, lubricants, as well as agriculture and mining.

Cognis is owned by private equity funds advised by Permira, GS Capital Partners, and SV Life Sciences. In 2008, Cognis recorded sales of about 3 billion euros and an Adjusted EBITDA (operating result) of 351 million euros.