DES MOINES, IOWA (January 13, 2004) – A number of clear beverages are poised to benefit from two ingredients that, used in tandem, are now GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe).

Purified lutein delivered in combination with a sucrose monolaurate emulsifier incorporates patented technology that disperses lutein in clear, water-based beverages while maintaining optical clarity.

Kemin Foods’ branded product for this lutein delivery system is FloraGLO®  Lutein with ClearTec^TM coating.

“This new delivery method for purified lutein allows clear beverage manufacturers to provide the health benefits of the antioxidant lutein without worrying about clouding, clumping, settling or ringing,” said Zoraida DeFreitas, Ph.D., director of research and development for Kemin Foods, maker of FloraGLO Lutein.

“We believe this marks a nutritional ingredient milestone for the beverage industry. Several beverage brands that have been awaiting this specific water-dispersible lutein are now equipped to bring to market new formulations fortified with lutein,” said DeFreitas.

The approved applications for these combined ingredients cover 13 product categories including bottled water, carbonated beverages, ready-to-drink tea and energy, sport and isotonic drinks. Inclusion levels range from 0.5 mg to 3 mg of lutein per reference amount customarily consumed (RACC) and 2.8 mg to 17 mg of sucrose monolaurate per RACC. (See table below)

With a payload of 15% active lutein, FloraGLOLutein with ClearTec coating is available in a free-flowing dry powder for multiple applications.

Food	Level of lutein per reference amount customarily consumed (RACC)	Level of sucrose monolaurate in the food per RACC
bottled water	0.5 mg	2.8 mg
carbonated beverages	2.0 mg	11.3 mg
meal replacement beverages	2.0 mg	11.3 mg
tea, ready-to-drink	0.6 mg	3.4 mg
dry milk	3.0 mg	17 mg
fermented milk beverages	0.6 mg	3.4 mg
flavored milk and milk drinks	3.0 mg	17 mg
milk-based meal replacement beverages	3.0 mg	17 mg
energy, sport and isotonic drinks	2.0 mg	11.3 mg
fruit-flavored drinks	2.0 mg	11.3 mg
fruit juice	2.0 mg	11.3 mg
nectars	2.0 mg	11.3 mg
vegetable juice	2.0 mg	11.3 mg

About FloraGLO Lutein and Kemin Foods

Numerous peer-reviewed studies link the important eye-health benefits of the natural antioxidant lutein with reducing the risk of age-related macular degeneration and cataracts. Newer science also has suggested lutein may promote healthy skin.

Sourced from marigold flowers and purified from marigold oleoresin, FloraGLO Lutein is the world’s leading patented, purified lutein. Products with FloraGLO Lutein contain the same lutein naturally found in eggs, spinach, kale and other green leafy vegetables.

Lutein, present in the eye’s macula, appears to filter harmful, high-energy blue wavelengths of visible light—from both natural sunlight and indoor light—as they enter the eye.Lutein also appears to quench free radicals that may lead to oxidative stress and damage retinal cells in the eye. Suggested daily intake is 6 mg.

Lutein’s light-filtering, antioxidant qualities may also protect the outer and inner layers of skin. Use of topical skin-care products containing lutein may provide added protection.

Headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa, USA, Kemin Foods is part of Kemin Industries Inc., with manufacturing facilities in Iowa, Texas, Belgium, India, Singapore and Thailand. To learn more about Kemin Foods and FloraGLO brand lutein, visit www.FloraGLOlutein.com or www.luteininfo.com.