October 23, 2009/San Diego/PRNewswire-FirstCall -- Senomyx Inc. has been notified by the Flavor and Extract Manufacturers Association (FEMA) that its sucrose enhancer, S6973, has been determined to be Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) under the provisions of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, administered by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Sucrose (common table sugar) is widely used in many food and beverage products. Taste tests have demonstrated that S6973, which was discovered and developed by Senomyx, enables the reduction of up to 50% of the sucrose present in product prototypes while maintaining the sweet taste of natural sugar. This GRAS determination allows S6973 to be incorporated into specified products in the U.S. and in numerous other countries.
"Receiving GRAS determination for our S6973 sucrose enhancer is one of Senomyx's most important achievements and represents a significant commercial opportunity for the company," stated Kent Snyder, chief executive officer of Senomyx. "By enabling a meaningful reduction in sugar content without altering the sweet taste, S6973 could allow manufacturers to offer appealing products with lower calories and improved nutritional profiles." Limiting sugar consumption is a priority for the many consumers who have dietary concerns, particularly the growing number of adults and children affected by obesity or diabetes.