The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA)’s approval through its Novel Food application process granted Kensing commercial exclusivity for Sunvasterol in Europe, the company said on 11 November.

Sunflower phytosterols offered food formulators and dietary supplement brands an alternative to traditional soya, rapeseed and pine-based sterols, Kensing said.

“The EFSA approval confirms that sunflower-derived phytosterols deliver a strong cholesterol-lowering benefit, similar to our other EFSA-approved sterols,” said Serge Rogasik, Kensing CEO.

Kensing’s Sunvasterol product is produced from a byproduct of sunflower oil at the company’s facilities in Valencia and Talavera de la Reina, Spain.

Sunvasterol is composed of concentrated phytosterols (primarily beta-sitosterol, stigmasterol and campesterol) in the form of free sterols and sunflower lipid-linked esters. Esterification significantly increases the fat-solubility of plant sterols.

Available as free sterols or fat-soluble esters, Kensing said as well as being used in supplements, the product could be incorporated into fat-containing foods, including margarines and spreads, yogurts, functional dairy drinks, and other dairy products, milk-analogue products, condiments and salad dressings.

Phytosterols are a natural lipid component of oil seeds, grains, nuts, legumes and other plant seeds. They reduce cholesterol by competing with dietary and biliary cholesterol for absorption in the intestines, lowering the amount of cholesterol entering the bloodstream. This absorption inhibition helps to reduce total and LDL-cholesterol levels.

Sunflower phytosterols were supported by EFSA-approved health claims indicating that a daily intake of 1.5g-3.0g could help reduce total and LDL cholesterol by about 7%-12% over 2-3 weeks when incorporated into authorised food categories.

A daily intake of at least 0.8g of plant sterols can help maintain healthy cholesterol levels, according to a May 2012 EC regulation.

Sterols and stanols from soya, pine and other plants had been given EFSA authorisation for their role in helping to lower blood cholesterol since 2000, Kensing said.

In seeking approval for sunflower-based phytosterols with a broader specification for use in food supplements and fortified foods, the company said a full Novel Food dossier had been submitted to EFSA.

Kensing, which operates a sunflower supply network across Spain, Argentina and the USA, said it would increase production capacity to meet increased product demand.

According to its website, Kensing produces a range of speciality ingredients derived from vegetable oils, including plant sterols, natural vitamin E, anionic and amphoteric surfactants, and speciality esters.