OmniActive Health Technologies, Morristown, NJ, has achieved self-affirmed GRAS (Generally Regarded as Safe) status for the company's OmniXan RR-zeaxanthin from natural paprika, confirming its safety for use in a wide range of functional foods and beverages. The process involved an intensive review of safety and toxicology data by an independent panel of highly qualified scientists. 
 
"Food and beverage manufacturers are recognizing the growing consumer interest in products that can help them maintain healthy vision. Achieving self-affirmed GRAS status for OmniXan further supports our efforts in providing the nutritional products industry with premium, scientifically validated RR-zeaxanthin to incorporate in an even greater variety of categories," noted Lynda Doyle, VP of Global Marketing, OmniActive. "RR-zeaxanthin is among the three principle macular carotenoids, which also includes meso-zeaxanthin and lutein; they each have their own unique, distinct roles and work together collectively in maintaining healthy vision. Since our bodies cannot produce RR-zeaxanthin, it is crucial that we obtain it through our diets or supplementation."
 
OmniXan contains 3R, 3'R zeaxanthin, a potent quencher of singlet oxygen and free radicals concentrated in the center of the macula, absorbing specific wavelengths of light which could damage the retina. OmniXan is made from a wholefood GRAS source, paprika, which is grown and extracted in the U.S. OmniXan is derived from a carefully controlled, vertically integrated source and manufactured in cGMP facilities, and is available in vegetarian beadlets and oil suspensions.