Lutein clears for takeoff

Prepared Foods, March, 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 coating. 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 0.5mg to 3rag of lutein per reference amount customarily consumed (RACC) and 2.8rag to 17rag of sucrose monolau-rate per RACC. (See table.) Kemin Foods, Craig Maltby, 515-248-4037, cmaltby@keminfoods.com

Lutein Levels

Food                                     Level of     Level of sucrose
                                        lutein per     monolaurate in
                                        reference     the food per RACC
                                          amount
                                        customarily
                                         consumed
                                          (RACC)

Bottled water                              0.5mg            2.8mg
Carbonated beverages                       2.0mg           11.3mg
Meal replacement beverages                 2.0mg           11.3mg
Tea, ready-to-drink                        0.6mg            3.4mg
Dry milk                                   3.0mg             17mg
Fermented milk beverages                   0.6mg            3.4mg
Flavored milk and milk drinks              3.0mg             17mg
Milk-based meal replacement beverages      3.0mg             17mg
Energy, sport and isotonic drinks          2.0mg           11.3mg
Fruit-flavored drinks                      2.0mg           11.3mg
Fruit juice                                2.0mg           11.3mg
Nectars                                    2.0mg           11.3mg
Vegetable juice                            2.0mg           11.3mg