Cassia gum as stabilizer, Lubrizol files petition

US specialty chemical firm Lubrizol Advanced Materials has filed a petition to the FDA proposing that food additive regulations be amended to provide for the safe use of cassia gum as a stabilizer in frozen dairy desserts. Further, the Ohio-based firm that supplies a range of industries from pharmaceutical, through food, to plastics, proposed the amendments for cassia gum include its use to improve texture and water retention in cheeses, meat products, and poultry products. The petition from Lubrizol Advanced Materials sets out to amend the food additive regulations in part 172, Food Additives Permitted for Direct Addition to Food for Human Consumption (21 CFR part 172). "The agency has determined under 21 CFR 25.32(k) that this action is of a type that does not individually or cumulatively have a significant effect on the human environment," commented the FDA. As a result, the agency said it would not require an environmental assessment or an environmental impact statement. The US firm, that posted revenues in excess of $4 billion for 2007, divested its food ingredients arm in 2006. Executives were not immediately able to comment to FoodNavigator-USA.com on the context of Lubrizol's petition, and how approval may affect its business. Part of a strategy announced in 2005 to shake off non-core business, the food ingredients and industrial specialties businesses of Lubrizol were acquired in 2006 by an affiliate of Sun Capital Partners, (Sun Capital), a private investment firm, for $270 million. Lubrizol still retains a portfolio of food hydrocolloids pitched at a range of applications including dairy, ice cream and meat. Earlier this month the chemicals maker reported a 3 percent lift in first-quarter earnings, due to sales growth in its additives segment. Net income for the quarter ending March 31 rose to $73.6 million, from $71.3 million during the same period the previous year. Revenue increased to $1.23 billion during the first quarter from $1.08 billion in the year ago period.

Cassia gum as stabilizer, Lubrizol files petition

US specialty chemical firm Lubrizol Advanced Materials has filed a petition to the FDA proposing that food additive regulations be amended to provide for the safe use of cassia gum as a stabilizer in frozen dairy desserts.

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