Natures Crops International and its Brazilian partner Ayalla, exclusive suppliers of Ahiflower oil, recently received pre-market approval from ANVISA for the ingredient. The approval came through a multi-year review of Ahiflower’s safety and efficacy substantiation, which is required for food or bioactive substance claims in Brazil.
 
“Ayalla is extremely excited to have achieved the approval for Ahiflower oil with ANVISA with distinction. This opens up great opportunities to bring sustainable, complete & balanced plant-based omegas to Brazilian consumers and make a positive impact on human nutrition in our country,” said Sandra Ayalla de Anselmo, business development director at Ayalla.
 
Ahiflower contains a higher content of omega- fatty acids than any other plant or seed in commerce, according to the company, with a profile of bioactives that are evidenced to deliver similar health benefits as fish oil, evening primrose oil, olive oil, and flax seed oil.
 
The ingredient’s stability and aroma profiles allow manufacturers to fortify products with omegas in food-friendly formats that have historically been difficult ot address with marine and algal omega-3 sources.
 
“Many people around the world are seeking to boost their health and fitness through more mindful and sustainable plant-based ingredients,” said Greg Cumberford, VP of science and regulatory at Natures Crops. “They are also wanting to instill the same values in their kids through convenient, healthy, food-friendly formats like gummies, snack foods, and ‘drinkable meal’ options. The new ANVISA approval means that Brazilian families will join North American and European families in getting Ahiflower oil’s complete and balanced omega benefits.”
 
The Ahiflower crop is regeneratively grown by independently qualified farmers to ensure purity and traceability. Natures Crops recently received B-corp certification, confirming its eco-friendly status.
 
The oil is rich in omega-3 stearidonic acid (SDA) and omega-6 gamma linolenic acid (GLA).