OmniActives Lutemax® Ingredients Self-Affirmed GRAS

SHORT HILLS, N.J.OmniActive Health Technologies Lutemax® brand free lutein and lutein esters are now self-affirmed GRAS (generally recognized as safe), following a safety review by an independent expert panel. The scientists on the panel reviewed both safety and toxicology data including ingredient background, usage history, summary of anticipated daily intake and literature research. OmniActive is also in process of securing self-affirmed GRAS status for its Lutemax 2020 ingredient, which includes lutein and zeaxanthin isomers in high concentrations.

Achieving self-affirmed GRAS status for our Lutemax line of free lutein and lutein esters assures our food and beverage customers that they can safely use these clinically validated ingredients in an array of foods and beverages aimed at improving consumers overall eye health, said Hiren Doshi, vice president, OmniActive. With eye health being a top concern for the aging population and a new NMI health and wellness trends study showing that a growing number of consumers are interested in the health benefits of lutein-fortified foods and beverages, this announcement comes at the perfect time.

Lutemax lutein ingredients can now be incorporated into a range of foods and beverages including cereals, energy bars, juices, non-carbonated beverages, energy drinks and meal replacement bars. The ingredients are manufactured under a fully integrated supply chain process from marigolds grown for OmniActive in India; oleoresins are extracted from the dehydrated marigolds in dedicated facilities under food-grade standards, and the lutein is isolated and purified from the oleoresin using GRAS solvents in OmniActives HACCP, ISO 22000 and GMP certified facility.