Green light for processing aid.

Following authorisation by the French and Danish authorities in 2007, DSM Food Specialties has received approval from the Federal Office of Public Health in Switzerland for the use of PreventASe[TM] as a processing aid.

After in-depth examination the Swiss authorities concluded that DSM's asparaginase enzyme preparation will be allowed in the Swiss market. The production strain is classified as not genetically modified according to Swiss law.

Consequently, PreventASe[TM] can now not only be used for acrylamide mitigation in all EU member states but equally in Switzerland which is part of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA). DSM Food Specialties is obtaining approval on a global level. The receipt of a letter of non-objection to the GRAS status of PreventASe[TM] by the US Food and Drug Administration in 2007 is expected to be followed by timely approvals by the Australian and Canadian authorities. The latter already gave DSM's application priority status.

With German biscuit manufacturers as the frontrunners, PreventASe[TM] is now increasingly being used by biscuit makes in the EU and in the US and is available to consumers. The large-scale application of PreventASe[TM] in these countries demonstrates its commercial viability.

Alexander Wessels, business group director of DSM Food Specialties, said: "The approval of the Swiss authorities is another stepping stone towards industry wide application of PreventASe[TM].

"This will assist the food industry to fight dietary acrylamide which is of increasing concern to consumers, politicians and regulators alike."

Judith Heikoop of DSM Food Specialties added: "We are looking forward to continue to work with food businesses all over the world in order to minimise the overall exposure of consumers to dietary acrylamide."

Contact DSM Food Specialties on tel +31 15 279 2685 or visit www.dsm-foodspecialties.com