For centuries, traditional peoples have eaten seaweeds and aquatic vegetables. The first microalgae cultivated and sold as a health food
supplement in modern society was chlorella, beginning in the 1970s. Chlorella offers many benefits, backed by clinical research. Japanese
culture has always been receptive to sea products. Spirulina began selling in Japan as a health food supplement in the late 1970s. In the
USA it was introduced in 1979 through natural food stores by Earthrise Company, and through multi-level sales by Light Force.
Introduction, 1979-1981

Would Americans eat algae?

The natural food market seemed a good place to ask. About 10% of all U.S. consumers were eating some health or natural foods. Concerned about the decline in food quality from over-processing, chemical additives, toxic pesticides and pollutants, they opted for natural foods over synthetic supplements. Natural food customers embraced algae, discovering many ways to use it. Spirulina gathered a small, dedicated and steadily growing fol    lowing, but remained a long way from mainstream recognition.

Diet boom, 1981-1983
In 1981, a national tabloid’s front page headlines announced: Doctor’s Praise: A Safe Diet Pill – You’ll Never Go Hungry The
article claimed spirulina was a safe and effective appetite suppressant. The next day, thousands of people who had never been inside a health
food store, lined up to try out this latest ‘magic’ diet pill. Spirulina became a new diet phenomenon. News passed by word of mouth,
magazines and newspapers, radio and television. Hundreds of diet pill companies jumped on the bandwagon, rushing to market. Within
a month, new brands appeared in health food stores, drug stores and supermarkets. But there wasn’t enough to go around. The world supply
was about 500 tons per year from Mexico and Thailand. Much of this was sold in Japan, and only several hundred tons per year of real
spirulina actually entered the US market.

Popularity subsides, 1984-1986

Because of this supply shortage, many brands sold by diet pill companies were adulterated, having less than claimed on the label.

Some contained none at all or was adulterated with alfalfa or cheap green fillers. The media hype led most people to believe it was
nothing but a diet product. Hoping to magically lose weight, most people paid for green pills that were not even the real thing, and they
experienced little health benefit. Spirulina hit bottom by 1986.

Coming back, 1987-1990

Natural food consumers who knew how to use algae properly and enjoy its benefits remained faithful. As more people recognized the
real health value, demand steadily rose again, along with the other green superfoods such as chlorella (green algae) and aphanizomenon
(blue-green algae), barley grass and wheat grass. Green superfoods grew in popularity about 30% per year in the 1990s.

Continued growth

New spirulina products appeared, formulated with natural herbs, phytonutrients, vitamins and minerals to raise energy levels, reduce
pre-menstrual stress, boost athletic performance and endurance, promote a lighter appetite and antioxidant protection. Meal replacements
with spirulina offered chocolate, fruit and vanilla flavors. Companies invented snack bars, pasta, and fruit and vegetable juices.
People became aware that nutraceutical foods have health benefits beyond nutrition, and whole foods with phytonutrients can help prevent
disease. As more research on spirulina’s health benefits were published, it became better known as a potent nutraceutical.
With new dietary supplement label regulations in the 1990s, spirulina products began to display label claims about health, structure
and function benefits. This new labeling and health publicity propelled food and herbal supplements into more mainstream markets.

Spirulina today

Over this last decade, more spirulina produced in China and India reduced prices across Asia, Europe and North America, making spirulina
more affordable for more people. Today there may be 1000 tons or more of spirulina sold in the USA market. Health and dietary
supplements may represent about 80%, and about 20% is used as an ingredient in human foods, animal and pet foods, and for extracts.

Algae is in thousands products today

Today, spirulina and other algae are ingredients in thousands of products for food, feed, colors, nutraceuticals, medicinals, cosmetics
and personal care, biofertilizers and fine chemicals. Even more innovative algae based products are coming.