Burcon NutraScience files GRAS notification and receives patent grant

Burcon NutraScience Corp says a formal notification in accordance with the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) proposed regulation 62FR 18938 has been filed, having determined, based on a review of the data referenced in the notification that Puratein and Supertein are generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for their intended use as an ingredient in a variety of food and beverage applications and in addition.

Both substances are exempt from premarket approval requirements of the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.

The notification contains a listing of eight GRAS use categories for the incorporation of the two isolates into food and their GRAS use is supported by the safety studies and intake exposure calculations provided within the notification.

The GRAS determination is also fully supported by a panel of experts whose written concurrence was also provided in the notification.

The company also reports that a previously announced notice of allowance received with respect to a US patent application has now proceeded to grant as a US patent by the US Patent and Trademark Office.

The patent titled “Oilseed Meal Preparation” covers novel processing conditions in oil seed meal preparation and the production of tailored meals in place of, for example, conventional canola meal.

These oilseed meal preparation techniques have a significant impact on the quality of the final protein products including superior taste and improved aroma as well as on the yield obtained through Burcon’s protein extraction processes.

The company now holds a total of 12 US patents which cover canola and flax protein processing technologies and applications.