Balchem Welcomes FDA Disclosure On New Daily Value for Choline

Balchem Corporation

welcomed the FDA announcement of the new daily value for Chaoline, which was first discovered over a century ago as an essential nutrient by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) in 1998. According to the company, public awareness of the nutrient has been low, resulting in insufficient dietary intakes. A recent study on total U.S. choline intake found that about 90% of adults did not consume sufficient nutrient. The company stated that the regulator has taken a key step in providing for choline labeling on foods and dietary supplements helping consumers ensure they get enough choline in their diets. Balchem said that it stands ready to help fill this dietary gap with VitaCholine, the premier brand of choline for supplementation. VP of Human Nutrition and Pharma, Eric Smith, commented, "We are very pleased with the FDA's recognition of choline as an essential nutrient with a Reference Daily Intake of 550mg. This recognition validates the science that Balchem has supported over many years. We look forward to working with supplement and food manufacturers to leverage this greater visibility for choline to further improve the health and wellness of people around the world." Balchem, the global leader in choline, produces VitaCholine, a line of high-quality water- A growing body of compelling scientific evidence pointed to the importance of choline in maintaining a healthy mind and body. Choline played a unique role in maintaining a healthy liver by facilitating the transport of fats out of the liver for conversion to energy. In the brain, choline supported lifelong memory function and recent research suggests that it may lead to improved academic performance among young children and teens. The FDA establishment of a Daily Value is the latest positive news for choline. The company stated that in October 2015, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) released a large multinational study, which demonstrated that choline intakes in Europe were also low. EFSA's proposal of European Adequate Intakes for choline quickly followed. According to the company, it was clear that regulatory agencies across the globe now recognized the importance of this essential nutrient. Consumers were interested in choline as well – two-thirds of respondents in a recent survey said they would pay more for products containing choline. The stock traded 0.09 percent down on Monday.