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Method for cocoa flavanol analysis granted final action by AOAC INTERNATIONAL

MCLEAN, Va., October 12, 2022 — Mars Edge, a segment of Mars, Incorporated dedicated to nutrition research and products, announced that AOAC INTERNATIONAL, the globally recognized standards resource for analytical scientists and regulators, has designated the first AOAC Official Method of AnalysisSM for measuring and reporting cocoa flavanols, AOAC 2020.05. This method has achieved Final Action status and is the first method for flavanol analysis to receive this recognition.

AOAC 2020.05 in Final Action status presents a reliable, transferable, and accessible way to measure and quantify cocoa-derived flavanols and procyanidins in a range of commercially available cocoa products including cocoa powder, chocolate, and cocoa extract. This accomplishment, led by Mars Edge scientists, was enabled by cross-sector collaboration involving commercial testing laboratories, Eurofins Scientific, and AOAC INTERNATIONAL. The method is approved for seven food products including chocolate, cocoa powder, cocoa liquor, and cocoa extract.

Flavanols and procyanidins are bioactive compounds found in many foods and drinks including apples, cranberries, and teas, but are particularly abundant in cocoa beans. A growing body of evidence continues to emerge on the health benefits of cocoa flavanols, specifically the benefits to cardiovascular health and cognition.

Ugo Bussy, Ph.D., Principal Scientist at Mars Wrigley and previously Head Scientist of Mars Edge said: “This is a defining moment for the botanical bioactive analytics field and reflects the long-term dedication of Mars, on the development of analytical methods for the characterization of bioactives in cocoa. Both the scientific community and consumers will benefit from consistency in reporting and labeling, as the interest in the health benefits of these compounds continues to grow.”

The official method for cocoa flavanol analysis, AOAC 2020.05, Cocoa Flavanols and Procyanidins [by Degree of Polymerization (DP) 1–7] in Cocoa-Based Products is published in the Official Method of Analysis of AOAC INTERNATIONAL (OMA) Online.

Hong You, Ph.D., Director of Scientific Affairs at Eurofins US Food, said: “Eurofins is pleased to have contributed to the development and multi-laboratory validation of this method, as we have a long-standing investment into quality testing of botanical bioactives. We are proud to share this accomplishment with Mars Edge.”

Contact:
Joanne Tehrani,
RD Science Communications Senior Manager,
Mars Edge & MARI
M: 929-316-8637
E: joanne.tehrani@effem.com

About Mars Edge
Mars Edge is a segment of Mars, Incorporated dedicated to supporting human health through nutrition. It is set up to use the latest science, data and technology to create easy, enjoyable and tailored nutrition solutions. It offers evidence-based products for wider groups of people with shared nutritional and health needs, delivered by brands such as COCOAVIA™, and is creating a business in personalized nutrition with FOODSPRING®. In doing so, Mars Edge is partnering with start-up companies, academia and philanthropic organizations to bring ideas to life. The purpose of Mars Edge is to contribute to better lives through nutrition. For more information, please visit: https://www.marscocoascience.com/

About AOAC
AOAC INTERNATIONAL is a globally recognized, 501(c)(3), independent, third party, not-for-profit association and voluntary consensus standards developing organization founded in 1884. When analytical needs arise within a community or industry, AOAC INTERNATIONAL is the forum for finding appropriate science-based solutions through the development of microbiological and chemical standards. The AOAC Official Methods of AnalysisSM database is used by food scientists around the world to facilitate public health and safety and to promote trade.

For more information, please visit AOAC.org.

About Eurofins Scientific
Eurofins Scientific through its subsidiaries is the world leader in food, environment, pharmaceutical and cosmetic product testing, discovery pharmacology, forensics, advanced material sciences, and in agroscience Contract Research services. It is also one of the global independent market leaders in genomics and in the support of clinical studies, as well as in BioPharma Contract Development and Manufacturing. In addition, Eurofins is one of the key emerging players in specialty esoteric and molecular clinical diagnostic testing in Europe and the USA. With over 61,000 staff across a network of more than 1,000 independent companies in over 59 countries and operating 940 laboratories, Eurofins offers a portfolio of over 200,000 analytical methods for evaluating the safety, identity, composition, authenticity, origin and purity of biological substances and products, as well as for innovative clinical diagnostics. The objective of Eurofins companies is to provide their customers with high-quality services, accurate results on time and expert advice by their highly qualified staff.