Valensa and Parry Introduce Pur-Blue™ Premium Coated Spirulina
"Superfood for the Super Picky" Masks Algae Taste with All-Natural Phycocyanin Extract Coating
Las Vegas, NV 21 October 2010 - Valensa International (Eustis, FL USA) and Parry Nutraceuticals announced today that they have introduced a new premium coated spirulina that makes the superfood available to a broader range of consumers. Called Pur-Blue™ Premium Coated Spirulina, the new ingredient uses an all-natural phycocyanin extract coating to mask the flavor of the native spirulina - offering companies interested in marketing spirulina to a broader range of consumers an attractive, neutral tasting product that can appeal to the pickiest of eaters. The brilliant blue color of the new superfood is also an element that can help differentiate it from other spirulinas on the market. Parry Nutraceuticals is one of the world’s leading producers of spirulina-based products - featuring the highest nutrient levels and strictest quality control. Pur-Blue Premium Coated Spirulina broadens the range of consumers who will find this product attractive.
According to Dr. Rudi E. Moerck, President & CEO of Valensa International, bringing quality to nutrition to a broad consumer audience takes innovation in more than manufacturing and formulation. "At Valensa, we are increasingly involved in figuring out ways to make it easier for consumers to use natural products to improve their health. From issues like pill size and pill burden to those of taste and overall sensory experience, we find that innovation can lead us to products that consumers find more pleasing at the same time as they are getting healthier," he said. The brilliant blue color of Pur-Blue Premium Coated Spirulina will attract they eye and give marketers of the product a differentiated spirulina to put on their shelves and at the same time, the neutral taste will open up a whole new audience for this important nutritional supplement;.
Quality Leaders in Spirulina
Parry Organic Spirulina is the only spirulina currently with certified organic status as per all the major global organic standards such as USDA NOP, Naturland (Germany). ECOCERT (France) and OCIA (USA). It is the only spirulina product verified under the US Pharmacopeia ingredient verification program and is also GRAS affirmed. To meet these standards, no artificial or synthetic fertilizers and trace minerals - such as iron - are added in the spirulina cultivation process. Parry uses 100% pure plant-based nutrients and purified ground water to grow Parry Organic Spirulina. The practice of boosting the mineral content of non-organic spirulina by adding mineral salts is widely employed to enhance nutrient profiles. This is not done with Parry Organic Spirulina. Quality control for Parry Organic Spirulina includes HACCP (Food Safety Standards), ISO 14001 (Environmental Management Systems) and ISO 9001 (Quality Management Systems) certified by Bureau VERITAS. Parry Organic Spirulina is cultivated in a remote region of Southern India using pure artesian ground water. The facility is isolated from cities, farms and major water bodies - eliminating contamination due to pollution, pesticides, and shellfish. The manufacturing practices and usage of pure vegetarian organic nutrients ensures that the heavy metals in its spirulina are the lowest possible. This allows Parry Organic Spirulina to have the highest recommended intake (20 g/ day as per the self-affirmed GRAS status) of any spirulina product on the market and meets California Prop 65 guidelines.
Parry Nutraceuticals and Valensa recently commissioned two independent studies by outside laboratories on its Organic Spirulina, examining a series of batches over a period of several months*. These studies were complete analytical workups that looked at more than 30 different dietary and nutritional parameters including vitamins, minerals, fatty acids and carotenoids of its Organic Spirulina. They also compared Parry Organic Spirulina against Hawaiian Spirulina on key parameters. When compared with published information on Hawaiian Spirulina, in the areas of key criteria, the studies showed that on average:
*Complete studies are available from Valensa
In a separate study conducted by Brunswick Laboratories, - an independent, full-service bio-analytical laboratory specializing in the science of Antioxidants and Oxidative Stress - in April of 2010, Parry Organic Spirulina was shown to have an ORAC Value of 24,400 μmoles TE per 100 grams - by far the highest ORAC value of any spirulina on the market. This ORAC value is nearly 4 times higher than blueberries and 3 times higher than cranberries - two well known foods rich in antioxidants.
About Valensa International, LLC
Headquartered in Eustis, Florida USA (near Orlando), Valensa International is a leading science-based developer and provider of high quality nature-sourced products for nutritional supplements and functional foods. Valensa's certified organic production facilities are located in a protected pine/saw palmetto grove.
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, along with its new Deep Ocean Krill™ and Omega Joe™ ALA products. Condition specific products include Cran-Gyn™ Women's Health Formula, Nanocosanol™ Policosanol Dispersion Flex Pro ES™ joint health formulation and Eye Pro™ MD eye health formulation. Branded ingredients include Zanthin® Natural Astaxanthin, SpiruZan™ Spirulina & Astaxanthin Complex, USPlus® Prostate Formula and Palmetto Rosso™ Saw Palmetto Extracts, Parry Organic Spirulina and Pur-Blue™ Premium Coated Spirulina. Functional food brands include ChiaMax™ Omega-3 Low-Fat Whole Grain products.
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 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.