Bioriginal: Specializing In Nutritional Oils

Formed in 1993 in response to growing demand for natural plant products with nutritional and therapeutic benefits, Bioriginal Food & Science Corporation, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, has concentrated its focus on oils high in essential fatty acids. The company supplies these oils from a variety of sources including starflower (borage), evening primrose, black currant, flax, pumpkin, hemp and fish. Bioriginal was founded by Frederick Kulow, Jr., who relocated from the U.S. and a job manufacturing missiles to start Bioriginal with a goal of helping people. A vertically integrated company—with approximately 50 employees—Bioriginal incorporates research, sourcing, processing and distribution and product is sourced from all over the world. Product lines include nutritional supplements, pet and veterinary products, cosmetics and skin care, functional foods and OTC pharmaceuticals.

Flax products are currently the best sellers, according to vice president of administration Jerome Konecsni. Geographically, the U.S. makes up about the largest market, he said, “but we are also expanding our markets into Europe, Asia and South America.

“Our mission is to bring the benefits of essential fatty acids to the world and our goal is to continue to advance the science,” he said. “We want to develop unique products with strong clinical data behind them.” Bioriginal funds research as well as supplies materials for clinical trials, he said. “In addition, we are working to improve our process to ensure the efficacy of our products and also working on developing new markets.”

Bioriginal was the first Canadian essential fatty acid supplier to establish GMPs for its products and also to adhere to the World Health Organization Codex standards for edible oil safety for its GLA products. In 1998 the company won Ernst & Young’s “Entrepreneur of the Year” award and the National Canadian Entrepreneur of the Year Citation for Innovative Product Development. Bioriginal also has a small herbal extracts business, where it will do condition-specific formulations for customers, combining different essential fatty acids with herbs and minerals.

For the future, he said, “We are interested in exploring product development and clinical research collaborations to develop new products and new markets,” said Mr. Konecsni. “And a big part of what we do will continue to be furthering the science behind our products.”

Speaking in the company’s annual report, company founder Mr. Kulow said, “I sincerely believe that there will come a day when cereal boxes list individual Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) right alongside niacin, riboflavin and other nutritional supplements. I think we are going to see EFAs in foods, drinks, over-the-counter products, medical foods, functional foods and pharmaceuticals. The clinical research behind them is that strong.”—E.S.

Bioriginal Food & Science Corporation
102 Melville Street
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Canada S7J OR1
Telephone: 306-975-1166
Fax: 306-242-3829
E-mail: jkonecsni@bioriginal.com
Website: www.bioriginal.com