Dartmouth, Nova Scotia – Ocean Nutrition Canada Limited (ONC), supplier of MEG-3™ brand Omega-3 EPA/DHA food and dietary supplement ingredients, announced today the launch of the first United States yogurt containing the MEG-3™ fish oil ingredient.  Woodstock Water Buffalo Yogurt™ with Omega-3 was introduced on September 16 at the Natural Products Expo East trade show and will be available in retail stores across the U.S. in October.

Woodstock Water Buffalo Yogurt™, best known for its superior taste, creamy texture and  impressive nutrition profile, is made from farm fresh water buffalo milk, natural Vermont ingredients, and high levels of live probiotic cultures.  Now consumers can enjoy the same great benefits of Woodstock Water Buffalo Yogurt™ plus the additional health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids without sacrificing taste.  Woodstock Water Buffalo Yogurt™ contains 100 mg of Omega-3 EPA (Eicosapentaenoic Acid) and DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid) per 170 g serving. 

Adrian R. Grundy, President of the Woodstock Water Buffalo Company of South Woodstock, Vermont stated, “Our new yogurt line provides the essential fatty acids missing from most diets, in a healthy, all natural and delicious product.  The Woodstock Water Buffalo Company is the first company in the U.S. to fortify yogurt with Omega-3 and we look forward to continuing this health-promoting innovation with other cultured dairy products.  We not only want to be the first in this market, we want to be the best.”

Omega-3 enriched product introductions, such as Woodstock Water Buffalo Yogurt™, are important, as the majority of people do not consume enough Omega-3 EPA and DHA in their diets to achieve the optimum health benefits from these essential nutrients. 

Dr. Colin Barrow, Vice President of Research and Development at ONC said, “Experts, including the American Heart Association, agree that people should consume between 500 and 1000 mg per day of EPA and DHA, and currently Americans consume less than 100 mg per day.”  In September 2004, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a qualified heart health claim for food products containing EPA/DHA, as found in fish oil, confirming that these are the important forms of Omega-3 fatty acids for heart health. 

Companies have been working to solve the problem of how to put fish oils in food products without affecting the taste or smell for 15 years.  The development of MEG-3™ food ingredient has been a technology breakthrough because it is a unique form of micro-encapsulation with superior ability to protect the fish oil from oxidation. 

Already in 2005, three US bakeries successfully introduced bread products containing MEG-3™ ingredients.   In January 2005, New York based Wegmans Food Markets Inc. introduced three breads containing MEG-3™ ingredients.  In February 2005, The Baker™, based in New Jersey, launched healthy whole grain bread containing MEG-3™ ingredients and in April, Arnold Foods Company launched Arnold® Smart & Healthy™ 100% whole wheat bread containing the same Omega-3 fish oil ingredient.

Danone Canada Inc. recently introduced Cardivia™ brand yogurt with MEG-3™ to the Canadian market.  Ian Lucas, Executive Vice President Global Marketing with ONC stated, “These yogurt launches are very significant because they demonstrate the breadth of applications in which our MEG-3™ food ingredient works.”  Lucas continued, “With the Woodstock Water Buffalo Yogurt™ launch, MEG-3™ ingredients are now commercially available in both dairy and bread applications in the U.S. market.  Consumers are now able to eat a variety of great tasting foods with the convenience of adding EPA and DHA to their diets, addressing the American nutritional deficiency in these essential nutrients.”

About Ocean Nutrition Canada Limited (ONC):

Ocean Nutrition Canada Limited is a privately held company, and wholly owned subsidiary of Clearwater Fine Foods Inc., one of Canada's largest suppliers of quality seafood products.  Ocean Nutrition Canada researches, manufactures, and markets Omega-3 concentrates and other marine based natural ingredients for dietary supplements and foods.  ONC exemplifies scientific rigor in discovery and research programs, along with world leading regulatory and quality compliance standards.

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Lori O’Connell                                                                          
902-480-3210                                                                                   
www.ocean-nutrition.com