Villeroy, Quebec — Fruit d’Or Nutraceuticals has received approval from Health Canada that could take its conventional and organic cranberry oil beyond urinary tract infections into cosmetic, functional food and dietary supplementation.

The company has received Natural Product Number (NPN #80079040) from Health Canada’s Natural and Non-prescription Health Products Directorate (NNHPD), for both Cran Naturelle and Cran d'Or cranberry seed oil, the company announced in a press release.

Fruit d’Or Cranberry Seed Oil is registered with an NPN claim as a, “source of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids for the maintenance of good health. Source of antioxidants. Source of oleic acid.” Each tablespoon (15 ml) contains 34.8% ALA, 36.6% LA and 19.9% Oleic acid.

“This is a major breakthrough for culinary applications.Fruit d’Oris the first to extract the oil from the cranberry seed and earn this health claim of taking one tablespoon daily, or as directed by a healthcare practitioner, for the maintenance of good health. And because Health Canada has recognized that our cranberry seed oil is safe for consumption, it does not have to be GRAS-approved,” said Stephen Lukawski, director of global sales and product development, Fruit d’Or Nutraceuticals, in a press release.

“No other fruit oil has this combination of omega 3, 6 and 9 in these high amounts,” Lukawski continued. “This news is a home run for the food industry around the world to use Fruit d’Or cranberry seed oil as a functional artisanal oil.”

He adds, “No chemicals are used in our cold-pressed extraction method, which was developed to preserve the cranberry seed oil’s phospholipid content and its abundant natural antioxidants.”

Fruit d’Or cranberry seed oil is a rich source of vitamin E tocopherols and tocotrienols, as well as sterols.

Cosmeceutical opportunities

Demand for Fruit d’Or cranberry seed oil is also increasing for its skin care and anti-aging benefits. Cranberry seed oil is one of the most unsaturated oils available, making it an ideal moisturizing ingredient.

With a composition of more than 95% fatty acids, cranberry seed oil may protect and reestablish the protective lipid barrier of the skin. It has excellent oxidative stability, a pleasant odor and texture, and the ideal 1:1 ratio of omega 3 to omega 6.

“Essential fatty acids are nourishing, protective, aid in the formation and maintenance of cellular membranes and are essential to the formation of prostaglandins to reduce inflammation,” confirms Lukawski.

Due to its stability and the protective characteristics of its high vitamin E content, cranberry seed oil is an excellent ingredient for products requiring stabilizing, emulsifying and penetrating actions to enhance the fatty acids and other components within its health product composition.

“By using a cold-pressed extraction method with no excipients, the multitude of beneficial compounds and biological activities housed within Fruit d’Or cranberry seed oil are retained,” explains Lukawski. “The bioavailability of these ingredients in skin care applications may enhance the regeneration, healing, protection and ultimately the beautification of the skin.”

Versatility benefits formulators

Lukawski confirms that Fruit d’Or is already working with nutraceutical and cosmetic companies to combine its cranberry seed oil with vitamins, chia and other trending ingredients.

“We are welcoming all researchers and formulators to embrace cranberry seed oil by putting this superstar ingredient into their dietary supplements, blending it with vitamin D and other fatty oils such as CoQ10, selling it on its own, using it for skincare products or to complement other dietary oils such as those found in fish oil,” he says.

In keeping with Fruit d’Or Nutraceutical’s commitment to ongoing research, Lukawski says the company is excited to further investigate the benefits of the beta sitosterol found in cranberry seed oil, which has been linked to prostate health.

(Published on WholeFoods Magazine Online, 7/24/17)