Once again, Prepared Foods, under its NutraSolutions brand, offers the “Ingredients for Health Reference” to provide market data and information on commercially available ingredients that assist in the development of products targeting various health benefits. From ingredients such as chia seed and red tomato for antioxidant supplementation, to the colors, flavors and textures used to make nutraceutical products attractive and palatable, this section offers a comprehensive range of information.

The categories are as follows:

• Antioxidants for Health

• Bone and Joint Health

• Cancer: Reducing Risk

• Cardiovascular Health

• Cognitive Health

• Diabetic Benefits

• Digestive Health

• Energy and/or Sports Performance

• Eye Health

• Immunity Enhancement

• Weight Management and

• General Health

Eye Health

New product developments for eye health continue to remain a niche worldwide. However, there was a 14% increase in global product launch activity with an eye-health positioning tracked by the Innova Database in 2011 from 2010. Eye health-positioned product launches in 2011 were most prevalent in the following market categories: baby formula/milk (19%), milk and other dairy drinks (4.9%), juice and juice drinks (3.8%), drink concentrates and mixes (3.5%), and breakfast cereals (3.5%). The top ingredients utilized offering eye-health benefits include vitamin A, vitamin E, zinc, beta-carotene, omega-3, vitamin B9 and lutein. Vitamin A is the ingredient most associated with specific eye-health claims, such as “for better eyesight” and “to improve your vision.” Emerging ingredients also used for eye-health benefits with scope for future growth included bilberry extract and rutin.

—Lu Ann Williams, Innova Market Insights, helpdesk@innovami.com, www.innovadatabase.com

Positive Role in Eye Health

DSM Nutritional Products is pleased to report that on October 4th, 2012, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) issued a positive opinion on the safety of nature-identical zeaxanthin as an ingredient in food supplements. This decision opens the way for DSM’s market-leading zeaxanthin brand OPTISHARP 1 to obtain a market authorization in the EU and underpins its importance as a nutritional ingredient. EFSA concluded that, based on the available data, intakes of up to 0.75mg/kg body weight per day for zeaxanthin, corresponding to a daily intake of up to 53mg for a person with a body weight of 70kg, do not raise safety concerns. The EFSA opinion is in response to a comprehensive safety package that includes a two-generation reproductive toxicity study and 22 additional references, prepared and submitted by DSM to the European Commission in January 2012. Together with lutein, zeaxanthin is one of the main components of the macular pigment. It is deposited into the human macula—the small, highly sensitive area of the retina responsible for central vision—where it works as a blue light filter and as an antioxidant. Zeaxanthin, and more specifically OPTISHARP Zeaxanthin, has been the subject of numerous publications. Several scientific, peer-reviewed studies demonstrate the antioxidant role of zeaxanthin in the retina and the lens, and it is acknowledged by eye-health professionals as playing a positive role in eye health. OPTISHARP is being used at 2mg dose/day, in combination with DSM’s FloraGLO Lutein2, in the on-going study “Age Related Eye Disease Study” sponsored by the National Eye Institute of the National Institutes of Health in the United States. DSM Nutritional Products, William Brown, 973-257-8288, william-j.brown@dsm.com, www.dsm.com

Eyes on This

Cyvex Nutrition features several ingredients that support vision health, providing relief of eye fatigue and oxidative stress; increased blood flow to the eye; improved visual acuity; and improved ability to adjust from light to darkness. The company provides eight all-natural ingredients that promote healthy vision, improve eye focus, boost visual acuity, provide retinal protection and support, and more. Cyvex Nutrition, www.cyvex.com NS