Balchem's OptiMSM® to become first MSM to be recognized as a Food with Functional Claims in Japan

Balchem, a leading global manufacturer of specialty ingredients for human nutrition and health, announces that its brand of methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), OptiMSM®, has been granted Food with Functional Claims (FFC) approval by the Japanese Consumer Affairs Agency. This milestone, driven by a recent study confirming the ingredient’s role in supporting joint health, marks the first-ever recognition of MSM under this category in Japan and underscores its proven safety, efficacy and reliability. The approval also allows companies using OptiMSM® in their formulations to now feature joint health-related claims on product packaging.

Spotlighting safety, quality and efficacy

“As a source of sulfur, MSM is a critical component in the building blocks of joints and connective tissues,[1] providing cartilage with much-needed nutrients[2] and helping maintain joint comfort,[3]^{,[4],[5],[6],[7],[8]}” comments Jessica Arnaly, Senior Marketing & Business Development Manager, Human Nutrition & Health. “With a long-standing reputation in the joint health space, Balchem’s OptiMSM® already stands out as the only form of MSM to have received a GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) letter of non-objection in the US. Now, with its recognition under Japan’s Food with Functional Claims, we further solidify its role in supporting mobility, as well as its leading quality, reliability and strong scientific background.”

The Foods with Functional Claims system enables brands to label foods or supplements with scientifically supported health benefits, grounded in evidence from systematic literature reviews or clinical trials. OptiMSM® approval was based on a study showing the potential of oral MSM intake at a dose of 2000mg/day in improving overall joint health and comfort in individuals experiencing mild pain in knee joints.[9] The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial evaluated 88 healthy adults consuming either 2000mg of OptiMSM® or a placebo for 12 weeks. Using the Japanese Knee Osteoarthritis Measure (JKOM), the study demonstrated that participants taking OptiMSM® saw improvements in pain levels, especially in the morning and while standing. 

“Joint health is a key focus in Japan's functional food and drink market, with growing product innovation aimed at both seniors and younger consumers, and an emphasis on nutritional solutions to support mobility and healthy ageing,” concludes Arnaly. “MSM is already widely used in dietary supplements brands in Japan. With this approval, OptiMSM® can now support our Japanese consumers, allowing for clear on-pack claims while also providing greater assurance about the health benefits of MSM-containing products.”

Confirming quality

OptiMSM® has set the standard for purity, safety and consistency in nutritional dietary supplement applications of MSM. Produced through a proprietary multi-stage distillation process that utilizes differences in boiling points between MSM and impurities such as heavy metals to separate them, OptiMSM® is now the only MSM in Japan to have received Food with Functional Claims approval.