resources

14-Apr-2009

"Made in USA" label and allergen-free status of extracted product driving demand

Valensa International announced that it has completed a second round of expansion for astaxanthin production at its Eustis, Florida facility. The move was made in light of growing demand for a high-quality astaxanthin from North America that is both pesticide-free and allergen-free - two conditions that are only possible with carefully controlled raw material monitoring and extraction facilities that are not used for extractions of materials that are known to cause allergic reactions, such as legumes and shellfish. The company announced a 20% expansion of capacity in February 2008. With the new capacity, Valensa is now producing more than 40% more of its ZANTHIN® natural astaxanthin extract than it did in 2007.

According to Dr. Rudi E. Moerck, President & CEO of Valensa, the recent expansions have come as a result of rapidly increasing demand in Europe for astaxanthin for eye health formulations, but have also been fueled by European and US-based companies needing to establish a clear country of origin for their astaxanthin products as well as assuage concerns about potential contamination by allergenic materials. "Right now, Valensa International is the only company in the market who manufactures – or extracts – astaxanthin oleoresin in the United States. As a fully-integrated supplier of astaxanthin, our customers can rely on where their product gets made," he said. "When marketers of natural astaxanthin contract out for the extraction of biomass to produce natural astaxanthin, there is a chance that the extracting company will process multiple raw materials through the same facilities. We have seen instances in the market where materials such as shellfish are produced in the same facilities as astaxanthin and are sold without appropriate label warnings introducing the possibility of allergenicity into the final astaxanthin extract. Companies who work with Valensa are assured that cross-contamination of this type does not exist; and as a result, have chosen a fully-integrated solution from sourcing algae biomass, to CO2 extraction and standardization," he added.

Made in the USA
Valensa’s ZANTHIN® natural astaxanthin is an ultra-high pressure supercritical CO2 extraction of Haematococcus pluvialis freshwater algae that uses no chemical solvents. Valensa is the only fully-integrated supplier of natural astaxanthin extract in the US. It is made to cGMP standards in a certified organic facility in Florida and the product is protected with Valensa’s all natural, proprietary O2B® stabilization technology which provides extra stability in storage, efficacy and in customer’s formulations. Valensa’s approach to manufacturing ensures the highest quality, most consistent product on the market – and recommends it for eye health and for its potent anti-oxidant properties.

"Quality is critical to the acceptance of astaxanthin in all product formulations especially eye health formulas. At Valensa, we are committed to providing the highest quality astaxanthin on the market," said Moerck.

About Valensa International, LLC
Headquartered in Eustis, Florida USA (near Orlando), Valensa International is a leading science-based developer and provider of high quality botanically sourced products for nutritional supplements and functional foods.
Valensa Omega-3 brands include Tresalbio™ Supercritical Chia Seed Extract ChiaGold™ Stabilized Chia Seed Oil, ChiaMax™ Low-Fat Whole Grain, Z-Omega™3-6-9, Cranberol® Cranberry Seed Extract and AstaCran® Astaxanthin-Cranberry Seed Extract, Zanthin® Natural Astaxanthin, USPlus® Prostate Formula and Palmetto Rosso™ Saw Palmetto Extracts. Functional food brands include ChiaMax™ Omega-3 Low-Fat Whole Grain products. Condition-specific brands include SpiruZan™ Spirulina & Astaxanthin Complex, Cran-Gyn™ Women’s Health Formula, and Nanocosanol™ Policosanol Dispersion.

Valensa is committed to production and processing that supports the environment and fair labor practices for those that work the land and participate in the production process. Valensa’s certified organic production facilities are located in a protected saw palmetto grove and operate only with botanically derived raw materials, avoiding the use of toxic solvents and pesticides. For more information see www.valensa.com