PLT Health Solutions will market California Natural Color (CALCOLOR)’s portfolio of cardiovascular support and antioxidant ingredients in North America. PLT’s long-term agreement with the business unit of E & J Gallo Winery will cover CALCOLOR’s MegaNatural lines with the potential for further products to come in the near future.
 
The company’s MegaNatrual-BP is a patented grape seed extract which received a “no-objection” letter from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in response to its GRAS declaration. The ingredient, which has been standardized to 94% polyphenol content, has been studied for its role in supporting healthy blood pressure metabolism and arterial function. The polyphenol content of MegaNatural Gold is not less than 90% by weight.
 
The two ingredients are water soluble, making them ideal for use in supplements, foods, and beverages. All CALCOLOR ingredients are made in California from special seed blends derived entirely from unfermented domestic red and white varietal wine grape seeds and are Kosher and Halal certified.
 
The seeds are extracted with hot water, purified, concentrated, and spray-dried with no carrier, resulting in a high-phenolic, high-ORAC grape seed extract powder without any preservatives.
 
“We are very excited to have the opportunity to work with California Natural Color – offering more of their ingredients to a wider range of consumer products companies in North America,” said Sid Hulse, vice president of product development for PLT Health Solutions. “The high polyphenol concentrations of these ingredients combined with their consistency, traceability, and sustainability help them stand out in the market as premium solutions for companies seeking to offer heart health and antioxidant benefits.”
 
Grapes contain several antioxidant compounds, including phenolic acids, stilbenes, anthocyanins, and proanthocyanidins. CALCOLOR is a division of E & J Gallo Winery, which gives the company access to an abundant supply of fresh wine grapes, grown in California’s Central Valley and coastal regions, where it maintains complete control of the growing and manufacturing process. The grape seed extracts are traceable to the exact vineyard in which the grapes were grown through testing and record keeping. This allows California Natural Color to keep their supply adulterant-free, and the company is a supporter of the Botanical Adulterants Prevention Program.
 
California Natural Color has had a relationship with PLT for more than five years. According to Phillip Klein, vice president of CALCOLOR, their selection of PLT is due to the company’s commercialization resources, such as science, sales and marketing, customer service, and quality assurance, “which makes them an excellent complement to CALCOLOR’s raw material sourcing and manufacturing teams. Around the industry, they are known as an innovation partner of choice in functional food/beverage and supplements markets. We’re looking forward to working with PLT to establish the MegaNatural portfolio as a leader in the cardiovascular health and antioxidant categories.”