It would be hard to find anyone in Western Canada questioning the safety of canola for human consumption.
But one company that makes canola protein products is continuing to do studies to satisfy the concerns of foreign trading partners.
Burcon Nutrascience Corp. of Vancouver produces two canola protein products – Puratein and Supertein – for use as ingredients in a broad range of human foods.
The products are reportedly beneficial for cardiovascular health and diabetes metabolic syndrome.
The company’s latest study, released in mid-August, shows that canola protein is non-toxic and safe for human consumption.
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The study was originally conducted to support the process of attaining generally recognized as safe (GRAS) status in the United States for Burcon’s canola protein isolate.
Burcon president Johann Tergesen said a number of global food and beverage companies that are considering buying the protein products have indicated they would like Puratein and Supertein to attain GRAS status.
He said the new study, published in the scientific journal Food and Chemical Toxicology, is a major step forward.
“With the publication of this study, we are another step closer to having our canola protein isolates receiving GRAS notification,” he said.
The primary author of the study is Archer Daniels Midland’s director of scientific and regulatory affairs.
Last year, Burcon and ADM followed a process that resulted in Puratein and Supertein receiving self-affirmed GRAS status in October.
Self-affirmed GRAS status means the manufacturer of the chemical or substance had performed all necessary research, including the formation of an expert panel to review safety concerns, and is prepared to use the findings to defend its product’s GRAS status. That allows the product to be sold for human consumption in the U.S.
To satisfy foreign customers, the next step will be for Burcon and ADM to apply to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for GRAS approval. The companies hope FDA will respond with “no comment” once it has done its review, meaning there will be no further challenges on the product’s GRAS status.
