Swiss confectionary company Barry Callebaut has entered into a licensing agreement with Naturex Group, the producer of specialty plant-based natural ingredients, which would enable Naturex to use the Swiss confectioner’s approved health claim on cocoa flavanols from cocoa extracts.
Barry Callebaut had obtained an extension of its existing health claim on cocoa flavanols from cocoa extracts from the European Commission in April 2015. Alongside, the company also gained approval to use the health claim which stated "cocoa flavanols help maintain the elasticity of blood vessels, which contributes to normal blood flow", for application in food supplements suiting forms such as capsules and tablets that contain high amounts of flavanol cocoa extracts.
Under the latest agreement, Barry Callebaut is licensing its health claim on cocoa flavanols for cocoa extract products to Naturex Group for a period of five years until April 2020. With the licensing permission, Naturex can apply this health claim on its food supplement solutions and its business-to-business clients will also be able to use it for their market-end products.
The agreement will also entail that Barry Callebaut and Naturex will work together combining their expertise and knowledge to transform the food supplement market. Barry Callebaut will supply cocoa beans that contain high amounts of flavanols.
Using these beans, Naturex will manufacture pure cocoa extract and sell innovative products with the proprietary health claim. The products manufactured under the license agreement will be positioned among the flagship food supplement products, which are slated to hit the European market in early 2016.
Barry Callebaut Group global R&D project manager Leen Allgaert said: "With Naturex, we can now bring the proven health benefits of cocoa flavanols which contribute to normal blood flow in the human body to consumers in a simple 100% natural food supplement application."
Naturex CEO Olivier Rigaud said: "This open innovation partnership with Barry Callebaut is a great opportunity to bring to the food supplement market a pure and natural breakthrough ingredient with a unique 13.5 EFSA claim for the next five years. It will help us strengthen our global leader position in the phytoactives segment, one of the four key categories highlighted in our Bright2020 strategic plan, with endless applications that will help our customers to reduce time to market, fitting perfectly with consumer expectations."
Naturex Group business unit and marketing director Eric Villain said: "The cocoa bean is a natural source of extraordinary phyto-actives. It offers scientifically recognized health benefits and solutions for our self-care customers. The sale of food supplements that contribute to health and well-being is a field that has been experiencing strong growth in recent years. We look forward to working with Barry Callebaut to turn this licensing agreement into a big success for both of us."
The confectionary company recently launched Horizons range of sustainable cocoa and chocolate products. These sustainable products are part of an initiative which is aimed at improving the livelihoods of cocoa farmers and their communities. The chocolates are sold with a premium to help improve the living conditions of the cocoa farmers.
Image: Cocoa flavanoids to make food supplements healthier. Photo: Courtesy of Mister GC/FreeDigitalPhotos.net.
