An independent third-party expert panel, led by a team at AIBMR Life Sciences, has independently and collectively, critically evaluated the safety of Austin, TX-based Applied Food Sciences’ PurCaf and unanimously concluded that the intended use of PurCaf is generally recognized as safe.  Applied Food Sciences’ PurCaf is intended to function as a “natural replacement” for synthetic caffeine for use as a caffeine delivery ingredient in conventional standard finished food and beverage products that utilize and list caffeine as an ingredient.
 
PurCaf is derived from unroasted raw green coffee beans and is standardized for its caffeine content.  PurCaf is USDA Certified Organic but is also available in a non-organic format. By obtaining GRAS compliance, PurCaf hopes to make it easier for manufacturers to usher in the new wave of natural energy products.
 
“As the FDA continues to focus its attention on manufacturing compliance for dietary supplements, many companies are looking to reposition their liquid products as beverages.  A fundamental aspect of beverages is that all ingredients must be approved food additives or GRAS,” says Justin Prochnow, shareholder at Greenberg Traurig, LLP, and part of AFS’ legal counsel.  “A company that has already achieved ‘self-affirmed GRAS’ status for caffeine is ahead of the game as companies scramble to position their products as beverages.  A self-affirmed GRAS form of caffeine alleviates the need for a company to go out and get its own GRAS affirmation.  The fact that it is organic is yet an even bigger plus.  A self-affirmed GRAS form of organic caffeine clearly puts the company out in front of the rest of the marketplace.”
 
“Applied Food Sciences Inc., is committed to providing energy solutions for the food and beverage industry that meet the clean label demands of consumers,” said Chris Fields, vice president of scientific affairs at Applied Food Sciences, Inc.  “GRAS resonates strongly in the industry; not only is it a regulatory requirement for adding such ingredients into conventional foods and beverage but it eases the challenge of introducing a completely new source of naturally derived energy that consumers are searching for.”