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	Miriam Becker
News Release October 4, 2006	Phone +49 6151-72 8933

FDA approval for Silver and Interference Candurin® Pigments for use in food applications

On September 15, 2006, Merck KGaA received approval by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding the use of Candurin® silver-white and interference pearlescent pigments in foods. The FDA ruling specifies that these pigments are now permitted to be used at levels up to 1.25 % of final product weight in cereals, confections and frostings, gelatin desserts, hard and soft candies (including lozenges), nutritional supplement tablets and gelatin capsules, and chewing gums.

Produced under cGMP conditions, Candurin® pigments meet the strict quality and safety requirements of the food and nutritional supplement industries. Since the FDA is seen as a regulatory reference by many countries and with respect to the global character of large parts of the food industry, the FDA approval of Candurin® pigments will also have an international impact outside the USA.

Candurin® pigments' distinctive pearl luster effect gives food products and nutritional supplements an eye-catching, unique visual appearance which helps to distinguish brands and create an outstanding position in the multitude of market products. Customer recognition as well as the brand identity will be improved and fostered. By using the right emotional color concept with Candurin® pigments, the visible characteristics of products can be emphasized and refined. Furthermore, Candurin®, in combination with other food colorants, opens up new exciting possibilities in innovative food design. By the use of Candurin®, luxury and seasonal food alike can convey additional visual preciousness.

Candurin® pigments consist of the natural mineral mica, coated with a thin layer of the approved colorant titanium dioxide. These products can be combined with all other approved food colorants or pigments. Due to their stability at high temperatures, acid/alkali resistance, neutral taste and insoluble nature, these pigments are very easy to work with. The low use levels required to achieve their color effects also make Candurin® Pearl Effect Colors an economical choice for food and nutrition formulations.

Merck provides detailed information for customers and interested persons about each of the Candurin® pigments as well as guidelines for optimal use and processing conditions in all areas of application.

This announcement on Candurin® pigments for foods marks the second approval for these pigments obtained this year by Merck. In July of this year, Candurin® pigments were permitted by the FDA for use in drug products.

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Merck is a global pharmaceutical and chemical enterprise with sales of € 5.9 billion in 2005, a history that began in 1668, and a future shaped by 29,958 employees in 55 countries. Its success is characterized by innovations from entrepreneurial employees. Merck's operating activities come under the umbrella of Merck KGaA, in which the Merck family holds a 73 % interest and free shareholders own the remaining 27 %. In 1917 the U.S. subsidiary Merck & Co. was expropriated and has been an independent company ever since.

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