Biocentric Energy Holdings, Inc. (BEHL)

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Fuji Chemical Industry has attained generally recognized as safe (GRAS) status for its AstaREAL brand of astaxanthin for use as an ingredient in food and beverages.

It received the official no-objection letter from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on January 6 this year, accepting Fuji's GRAS notification which was filed with the FDA on July 7, 2009.

Prior to FDA notification a panel of experts convening in June 2009 independently determined that AstaREAL astaxanthin was GRAS.

AstaREAL astaxanthin is a member of the carotenoid family of natural pigments closely related to beta carotene, lycopene and lutein. It is a natural biological antioxidant found most abundantly in seafood that gives the pink and red color to salmon, shrimp and lobster.

However, animals as well as humans depend on their diet to obtain astaxanthin and other carotenoids since neither can produce it themselves.

AstaREAL astaxanthin has been marketed globally (including the US) for years as a dietary ingredient for use in supplements.

Now as the first and only astaxanthin to attain GRAS status, AstaREAL is also permitted to be marketed as an ingredient in food and beverages within the US.