Kemin Foods' Personal Care unit has reached a distribution agreement which will see its FloraGLO brand lutein marketed to cosmetics manufacturers in Italy and the United Kingdom.
Italy-based speciality chemicals distributor B.H. Schilling and Cornelius, which markets raw materials in the UK and Irish markets, will both add Kemin's lutein for personal care applications to their portfolios. Iowa-based Kemin Foods, which makes natural antioxidants for the food, dietary supplement and personal care markets, has seen growing recognition of its FloraGLO brand lutein, a purified, patent-protected form of lutein, among eye doctors for its important eye health benefits.
Research indicates that consumption of lutein, found naturally in dark green, leafy vegetables such as spinach and kale, may also protect the skin against some of the damaging effects of the sun. It has also been shown to protect skin against photo-oxidative stress induced by UV-A or UV-B radiation from sunlight.
"Awareness of the value of FloraGLO Lutein as an all-natural, bio-active antioxidant has been building internationally," said Greg Thornton, sales manager for Kemin Personal Care. "The successful launch of FloraGLO Lutein in the US personal care market and the growing global acceptance of lutein have created a great opportunity to introduce this product to the European cosmetic and personal care industry."
The UK was the first European market entered by Kemin and it soon followed with a campaign for its FloraGLO lutein in Italy. The firm is gradually established its presence in the European health markets.