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DES MOINES, Iowa, U.S. (June 6, 2023) – Kemin Industries, a global ingredient manufacturer that strives to sustainably transform the quality of life every day for 80 percent of the world with its products and services, has received a positive opinion from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA)¹ for the use of BetaVia^™ Pure, its algae-based, 95% beta-1,3-glucan (paramylon) ingredient for immune and gut support,^2-4 in the European Union.

Manufactured through a patented process using Kemin’s proprietary strain of algae, Euglena gracilis, BetaVia Pure is the highest purity beta-glucan currently available on the market.⁵ With its neutral odor, color and small recommended dose, this postbiotic can be included in numerous finished-product forms and easily included as part of a daily health routine.

The EFSA opinion confirms that BetaVia Pure is considered safe when used in food supplements for ages one and older; in foods for total diet replacement for weight control; and as a food ingredient added to a number of food products for the general population. EFSA could not have reached this positive conclusion without the proprietary safety data from Kemin. As a result, EFSA has granted Kemin a five-year exclusivity in the European market.

“Receiving the second EFSA positive opinion on BetaVia—now with BetaVia Pure—allows us to bring our full algae beta-1,3-glucan product line to the European market,^1,6” said Chris Sadewasser, Global Product Manager, Kemin Human Nutrition and Health. “This critical recognition is the result of EFSA’s meticulous evaluation of the data from Kemin’s dossier, which demonstrates the safety of our BetaVia ingredient in its more concentrated form, BetaVia Pure.”  

Kemin’s research has found that the unique molecular structure of algae beta-1,3-glucan from proprietary Euglena gracilis can offer immune and gut health through its triple action mechanisms of priming key immune cells, protecting intestinal barrier integrity and shaping the microbiome.^7-10

“We are very pleased with the extensive work done by our R&D and regulatory teams that allowed Kemin to take a leading position in Europe’s algae beta-glucan market,” said Pedro Vieira, Vice President – Europe, Kemin Human Nutrition and Health. “The rising interest in products offering both immune and gut support,^2-4 combined with consumers' desire for quality ingredients with proven safety and efficacy, makes our BetaVia ingredient line the solution for a new generation of formulas that meet these needs.”

BetaVia offers a naturally sourced, postbiotic ingredient that can be included in dietary supplements and functional foods as a boost to diets chronically low in dietary fiber⁴ and/or for those whose gastrointestinal tracts are likely experiencing the consequences of daily stress.

BetaVia has an established regulatory status on a global basis, including in the U.S., Brazil, Japan, China and many other countries. Kemin Human Nutrition and Health’s naturally sourced solutions are GRAS, kosher, halal, vegetarian, gluten free, allergen free and non-GMO.

Click here for more information on formulating with BetaVia for better immune and gut support.

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About Kemin Industries

Kemin Industries (www.kemin.com) is a global ingredient manufacturer that strives to sustainably transform the quality of life every day for 80 percent of the world with its products and services. The company supplies over 500 specialty ingredients for human and animal health and nutrition, pet food, aquaculture, nutraceutical, food technologies, crop technologies, textile, biofuel and animal vaccine industries.

For over half a century, Kemin has been dedicated to using applied science to address industry challenges and offer product solutions to customers in more than 120 countries. Kemin provides ingredients to feed a growing population with its commitment to the quality, safety and efficacy of food, feed and health-related products.

Established in 1961, Kemin is a privately held, family-owned-and-operated company with more than 3,000 global employees and operations in 90 countries, including manufacturing facilities in Belgium, Brazil, China, Egypt, India, Italy, San Marino, Singapore, South Africa and the United States.
 

Media Contact:
Carrie Livingston, Director of Media Relations | carrie@colinkurtis.com, +1 815 519 8302

REFERENCES:
¹https://efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.2903/j.efsa.2023.7995
²Kemin, BetaVia Complete can prime key cells in the innate immune system. KHTL-017-150.
³KHTL-017-160 Paramylon Improves Antioxidant Status and Metabolic Health
⁴Kemin Proprietary Data TD-20-6867 “Effect of a Euglena gracilis (β-1,3-glucan) on Gut and Immune Health in Healthy Adults with Mild Gastrointestinal (GI) Issues.”
⁵Patents granted a patent on beta 1,3 glucans for modulating immune function (US Patent 10,912,794).  This new patent joins a previously issued patent, US 9574217, on the production of immune modulation using algae from a proprietary strain of Euglena gracilis ATCC PTA-123017
⁶https://www.efsa.europa.eu/fr/efsajournal/pub/6100
⁷Kemin, BetaVia™ Complete supports a healthy gut by protecting intestinal barrier function after induced colitis in mice. KHTL-017-159.
⁸Kemin, Characteristics and prebiotic like properties of BetaVia Complete. KHTL-017-149.
⁹Evans, M., et al., Effect of a Euglena gracilis Fermentate on Immune Function in Healthy, Active Adults: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.  Nutrients, 2019, 11(12), 2926
¹⁰Spiering, M. J. (2015). Primer on the Immune System. Alcohol research: current reviews, 37(2), 171–175