Kemin Receives Canadian Green Light for Lutein Product

This notification now presents food and beverage companies marketing products in Canada with a wide range of options to deliver the eye and skin benefits of lutein to their customers.

3 Jan 2013 --- Kemin, creator of the world’s first patented, purified lutein brand, has received a letter of non-objection from Health Canada authorizing the use of FloraGLO Lutein as a novel ingredient for addition to conventional food and beverages. This notification now presents food and beverage companies marketing products in Canada with a wide range of options to deliver the eye and skin benefits of lutein to their customers.

FloraGLO Lutein has been available for use as a natural health product ingredient in Canada for more than seven years. In March 2010, Kemin submitted the Novel Foods Application requesting the authorization for the use of FloraGLO as a food ingredient in a range of food and beverages. In November 2012, Kemin received the non-objection letter from Health Canada to its application. Importantly, the approval is specifically limited to FloraGLO brand Lutein manufactured following Kemin’s patented process and meeting its stringent chemical and quality specifications. The approval extends to all the FloraGLO finished product forms offered by Kemin and DSM Nutritional Products, including liquid formulations and dry beadlets.

In Canada, FloraGLO Lutein may now be added to the following food categories at specified inclusion levels: Baked Goods and Baking Mixes; Beverages and Beverage Bases; Breakfast Cereals; Chewing Gum; Dairy Product Analogs; Egg Products; Fats and Oils; Frozen Dairy Desserts and Mixes; Gelatins, Puddings and Fillings; Gravies and Sauces; Hard Candy; Milk Products; Nuts and Nut Products; Processed Fruits and Fruit Juices; Soft Candy; Soups and Soup Mixes; Foods for Special Dietary Use.

Approval by Health Canada demonstrates the safety and quality of FloraGLO, which is backed by strong science and established bioavailability. FloraGLO Lutein has been available for use in the U.S. in the same food categories, as well as in infant and toddler formulas for a number of years, based on its GRAS status.

“We are pleased to introduce FloraGLO into the Canadian food and beverage market,” said Alex Fink, marketing director for the human nutrition and health division of Kemin. “Health Canada’s approval is a very positive one for Kemin and definitely strengthens our leadership role as a global lutein supplier. Its approval comes at a time when conventional food companies and consumers are eagerly seeking beneficial nutrients, such as FloraGLO Lutein.”