Gain on Settlement of Obligations (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended		0 Months Ended	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2009 Purchase Commitments tonne	Mar. 16, 2011 Purchase Commitments Inalco tonne Mg	Mar. 31, 2011 Purchase Commitments Inalco	Dec. 31, 2011 Purchase Commitments Inalco
Purchase Commitments
Number of units of D-tagatose agreed to be purchased by the entity (in metric tons)			25	8.5
Gain on settlement of obligations	$ 845,000	$ 845,000		$ 600,000	$ 600,000	$ 600,000

The net proceeds or assets obtained in excess of (less than) the net carrying amount of assets recorded, or assets distributed and liabilities assumed less than (in excess of) estimated litigation liability extinguished, in settlement of a litigation matter. Represents (for other than an insurance entity in its normal claims settlement process), the amount of income (expense) recognized in the period to settle pending or threatened litigation and insurance claims.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 450

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6952336&loc=d3e14326-108349

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 5

-Paragraph 9, 10, 11, 12

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration