The company previously supplied Cholevel to the EU for use in the manufacture of sterol esters, differentiating it from other products on the market through its non-GM origins.

But now that the branded ingredient can be added to foods directly (such as cholesterol-lowering margarine, mayonnaise and cream products), Fenchem expects sales in the EU to grow by between 30 and 60 percent.

 A spokesperson for the company did not give more information on current sales levels, saying just: "The approval will make Fenchem more competitive in EU market."

 Fenchem says that it is the only Chinese supplier to have obtained novel foods go-ahead for plant sterols in the EU.