"Made in USA" label and allergen-free status of extracted product driving demand
ORLANDO, Fla., April 14, 2009 — 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 40% more of its ZANTHIN(R) natural astaxanthin extract than it did in 2007.
According to Dr. Rudi E. Moerck, President and 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 U.S.-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," Moerck 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(R) 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 U.S. 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(R) 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.
For further information, contact:
Dr. Rudi Moerck, President and CEO
Voice: 352-357-2004 ext. 701
Fax: 352-483-2095
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