Global specialty chemicals supplier Cognis, which was the first company to seek European Novel Food approval for conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), announced today that the Spanish authority for Food Safety and Nutrition (AESAN) has finalized its assessment of Tonalin® in the EU’s Novel Food authorisation process, following the company’s submission of a comprehensive dossier on its leading Tonalin® CLA brand in 2007.

The AESAN opinion will now be submitted and reviewed by the other Member States. Achieving an approval at the end of this complex procedure will enable Cognis’ customers to take advantage of Tonalin®’s unique benefits for functional food applications.

Natural–source and highest quality
CLA from Cognis Nutrition & Health is the most clinically-tested CLA, having been used in the majority of human trials on body composition. Tonalin® is produced through a proprietary process using linoleic acid from safflowers to create the highest quality of commercially available CLA. A naturally sourced product, it comes in several forms, such as oil and water-dispersible powder making it technically suitable for applications in food, beverages and dietary supplements.

“We have been eagerly awaiting this positive decision by AESAN. This is the first but very important step in the process of gaining European approval for Tonalin® CLA,” said Dr. Arne Ptock, Global Product Line Manager for Tonalin®. “Having achieved considerable success with Tonalin® CLA in food supplements, we are now much closer to being able to launch a range of functional food applications, offering huge opportunities for food manufacturers to join supplement producers in marketing successful products for healthy fat loss featuring Tonalin® CLA.”

Improving body composition
Tonalin® CLA works by reducing body fat, maintaining lean body mass, and preventing the ‘yo-yo’ effect of dieting by helping to prevent fat regain. These benefits were confirmed in a meta-analysis of 18 human studies on CLA published in 2007 in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition1. The authors concluded that the beneficial effect of CLA: “… could be important if accumulated over time, especially in an environment where continuous, gradual weight gain is the norm in the adult population”. With 12 of the 18 clinical trials reviewed using Tonalin® the study provides further scientific evidence that the Cognis product is a safe and effective option for people interested in improving their body composition.

“The topics of weight and body fat reduction are ever present in the minds of consumers and, as they become more aware of the limitations of ‘quick solutions’ and of the need for a well-balanced and sustainable approach to weight management, so the demand for Tonalin® CLA grows”, comments Dr. Arne Ptock.

Potential for the success of Tonalin® in food products was also demonstrated in recent research on its effects in a skimmed milk product. Results of the randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial showed a significant reduction of body fat mass (BFM) in overweight subjects, indicating that CLA can be as beneficial in a functional food matrix as it is when taken in a supplement.2

Tonalin® CLA is an exclusively licensed product of the Cognis Group.

1 Leah D Whigham, Abigail C Watras, Dale Schoeller. Efficacy of conjugated linoleic acid for reducing fat mass: a meta-analysis in humans. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 2007;85:1203-11

2 Laso, N., Bruque, E., Vidal, J., Ros, E., Arnaiz, JA., Carne, X., Vidal, S., Mas, S., Deulofeu, R., Lafuente, A.: Effect of milk supplementation with conjugated linoleic acid (isomers cis-9, trans-11 and trans-10, cis-12) on body composition and metabolic síndrome components. Br J Nutr 2007; Jul 11: 1-8

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 7,600 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, textiles, as well as agriculture and mining. The subsidiary Pulcra Chemicals offers specialized chemical products and process expertise to customers in the fiber, textile, and leather industries. Cognis also holds a 50-percent stake in the joint venture Cognis Oleochemicals, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of oleochemicals.

Cognis is owned by private equity funds advised by Permira, GS Capital Partners, and SV Life Sciences. In 2007, Cognis recorded sales of about 3.52 billion euros and an Adjusted EBITDA (operating result) of 410 million euros.