Consumer Lutein Awareness Increasing

Consumer Lutein Awareness Increasing

HARLEYSVILLE, Pa.--More than 60 percent of Americans are aware of theantioxidant carotenoid lutein, up from 50 percent in 2001, according to theNatural Marketing Institutes (NMI) fifth annual Health & WellnessTrends Study. NMI also found nearly one-third of shoppers thought it was importantfor their stores to carry foods and beverages enriched with lutein.

Kemin Foods, maker of FloraGLO Lutein, noted the results bode well forfuture sales of lutein. This research helps validate the growing consumerperception of lutein as a nutritional agent that may positively impact healthconditions in the eyes and skin, said Amy Cone, marketing director for Kemin(www.keminfoods.com). Cone also notedNMIs finding that 35 percent of consumers place more trust in nutritionalfood and beverage products with branded ingredients points to increasedawareness of brand loyalty.