Applied Food Sciences Receives GRAS No Comment Letter for AMATEA® Organic Guayusa Extract

AMATEA® is a branded guayusa extract that uses a patented extraction process to highlight the caffeine and antioxidants

AMATEA® is exclusively produced by independent farming families, not industrial plantations. Their farms are not mono-crop systems, instead, farmers plant guayusa in similar growing techniques to agroforestry and permaculture in which crops are grown among trees and other vegetation utilizing patterns observed in nature. Growing in this method reduces the need to degrade or cut down the forest and creates a more diverse, productive, profitable, healthy, ecologically sound, and sustainable land-use system.

Applied Food Sciences (AFS) takes another step in furthering the safety and validation of its AMATEA® organic guayusa extract by presenting its GRAS dossier to the Food and Drug Administration for review. AMATEA® is a branded guayusa extract that uses a patented extraction process to highlight the caffeine and antioxidants naturally occurring in guayusa leaves to provide premium, organic energy. The industry generally regards the FDA's merited 'no further comment' response as the best response from the FDA and an acknowledgment of the reliable safety data in support of the ingredient. The FDA's 'No Comment' indicates that the FDA has reviewed AFS's safety data and does not disagree with their conclusion that AMATEA® is safe for the intended use in food and beverage applications set out in the dossier.

To assist in completing their dossier, AFS turned to one of the oldest and most trusted natural products compliance firms in North America. "AIBMR Life Sciences was proud to partner with Applied Food Sciences to use our GRAS expertise to help them achieve this historical first 'no questions letter' from the FDA's Office of Food Additive Safety (OFAS) for a natural caffeine-containing botanical ingredient," says John Endres, chief scientific officer, AIBMR Life Sciences.

The Next Generation of Caffeine
Guayusa - Illex Guaysua - is an ancient plant of the holly genus that only grows in the Amazon regions of Ecuador and Peru. Guayusa contains a unique combination of caffeine and polyphenol antioxidants that provides a bright and focused energy experience. Used for centuries by the native Kichwa tribes, AFS tapped into a functional energy ingredient that can enhance alertness and cognitive energy. Because it is low in tannins, AMATEA® is not bitter, dry, or astringent tasting like many other tea extracts. Instead, AMATEA® provides a naturally light tea flavor to complement a variety of applications.

AFS has worked for several years to build a sustainable supply chain of responsibly and ethically sourced guayusa through co-ops and foundations across Ecuador and Peru. Protecting both the ecosystem and the cultures that surround the botanical ingredients are most important to AFS' mission statement. AFS now adds an FDA GRAS 'no comment' conclusion to help secure more food and beverage manufacturers looking to adopt a highly effective energy ingredient in their products.

Quick Facts about AMATEA®:

• Provides a Bright, Focused Energy
• Delivers Caffeine & Antioxidants
• Fully Water-Soluble Pleasant Tea-Like Flavor
• Responsible Supply Chain
• USDA Organic / FDA 'No Comment' GRAS
• Well Studied for Safety and Efficacy

WATCH A VIDEO ABOUT AMATEA®

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