Taurine
Taurine is an amino sulfonic acid, not a protein-building amino acid, found naturally in meat, fish and dairy. Nearly all commercial taurine is made by chemical synthesis, from ethylene oxide or monoethanolamine through sulfonated intermediates, then purified and crystallized. Brands buy it as a white crystalline or granular powder for beverages, drink mixes, capsules and pet food.
Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.
Standard taurine powder for drink mixes, beverages and capsules.
Coarser grades with better flow for tableting and high-speed blending.
Taurine tested to the USP monograph, used where a compendial grade is required for supplements.
Taurine tested to a Food Chemicals Codex or supplier food specification for use in foods and drink mixes.
Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.
Store taurine in tightly closed, lined containers in a cool, dry place away from light and strong odors, and reseal opened packs promptly. Taurine is stable and not very hygroscopic. Shelf life or retest date is set by the supplier's specification; assay, loss on drying and micro are the usual retest points for older stock.
Record assay and grade for each lot, and the synthesis route if your customers ask for it. Rotate stock FEFO.
Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.
FDA's Substances Added to Food inventory lists taurine with the technical effect flavoring agent or adjuvant and cites FEMA No. 3813.
Source: hfpappexternal.fda.gov (opens in a new tab)GRN 586, for taurine notified by Intertek Scientific & Regulatory Consultancy for use in water beverages at 45 parts per million, closed on December 9, 2015 with FDA having no questions.
Source: hfpappexternal.fda.gov (opens in a new tab)Health Canada's Taurine natural health product monograph lists L-arginine taurinate and taurine ethyl ester among source ingredients.
Source: webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca (opens in a new tab)This is general information, not regulatory advice. Status differs by country and by how the ingredient is used, so check the rules for your product and market.
Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.
Distributor · City of Industry, CA
California ingredient supplier that sources branded and commodity ingredients for supplement and food makers, from amino acids and vitamins to magnesium L-threonate and a plant-based vitamin D3.
Suppliers are in alphabetical order and none pays to appear. Each claim is checked against the supplier’s own website on the date shown. Ask for the specification sheet and a recent COA before you order, and confirm details with the supplier.
Common forms include crystalline powder, granular, uSP grade and food grade. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.
Expect identity, assay, related substances, loss on drying and residue on ignition and heavy metals and microbiology, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.
Store taurine in tightly closed, lined containers in a cool, dry place away from light and strong odors, and reseal opened packs promptly. Taurine is stable and not very hygroscopic. Shelf life or retest date is set by the supplier's specification; assay, loss on drying and micro are the usual retest points for older stock.
FDA's Substances Added to Food inventory lists taurine with the technical effect flavoring agent or adjuvant and cites FEMA No. 3813. GRN 586, for taurine notified by Intertek Scientific & Regulatory Consultancy for use in water beverages at 45 parts per million, closed on December 9, 2015 with FDA having no questions. Health Canada's Taurine natural health product monograph lists L-arginine taurinate and taurine ethyl ester among source ingredients.
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