In addition to his many research achievements, James Allen Olson made important contributions to
evaluations of the role of dietary carotenoids in prevention of chronic diseases such as cancer, heart disease and
age-related macular degeneration in well-nourished populations. This paper reviews recent scientific evaluations
of the role of carotenoids in disease, recommendations for future research, and consumer-related trends of
relevance to carotenoids. Authoritative scientific evaluations by key leading thinkers have not been able to ascribe
a disease prevention function to carotenoids because of the absence of definitive evidence. These leading thinkers
recommend that future research on the role of carotenoids in disease focus on the complexities of diet, genetics
and environment in the disease process. This research is important to make it possible for consumers to derive
optimal health promoting benefits from fruits and vegetables in the context of changing dietary patterns.