Martek Biosciences Corporation (Nasdaq: MATK) announced that now all of its DHA omega-3 products have been approved by Health Canada for use as food ingredients in most foods.
The approval allows for per serving levels of not less than 8 mg and not more than 100mg of Martek’s DHA. Martek’s DHA omega-3 oils are marketed to consumers and appear as an ingredient on food packaging under the brand name life’sDHA(TM). “Martek will be better equipped to compete for the DHA-enriched food market in Canada with this additional approval,” said Steve Dubin, Martek’s CEO.
Martek’s life’sDHA(TM) contains the long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), the key omega-3 fatty acid for brain, eye and heart health and function. Numerous scientific studies demonstrate that people of all ages, from infants to adults, may benefit from an adequate supply of DHA omega-3 in the diet. Yet, despite its importance, natural food sources of DHA omega-3 are limited, making it difficult for many people to get enough DHA omega-3 in their diets.
In June 2006, another DHA omega-3 product by Martek was also approved by Health Canada for use as a food ingredient. Martek’s DHA oils have been approved for use in infant formula in Canada since 2002.
Foods fortified with DHA omega-3 are a growing source of DHA omega-3 in the diets of people around the world. The recent Health Canada approval of Martek’s life’sDHA(TM) for use in food products at significant levels in a variety of foods will make it easier for food companies to offer products in Canada that contain meaningful levels of DHA omega-3. Life’sDHA(TM) can be added at significant levels to most foods and beverages without impacting stability or sensory characteristics.
Most other DHA omega-3 products approved at significant levels for food use in Canada are derived from fish oil. Martek’s life’sDHA(TM) is unique in the market because it is derived from a sustainable and vegetarian source. Made from microalgae under tightly controlled manufacturing conditions, life’sDHA(TM) is free of oceanic contaminants that may be present in certain fish or fish oils. Microalgae are the only vegetarian source of DHA omega-3, the key omega-3 for brain and eye development and function.
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