COLUMBIA, Md., June 7, 2006 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Canadians may soon find it easier than ever to get healthy omega-3 fatty acids in their diets. Martek Biosciences Corporation (MATK) announced today that one of its chief omega-3 products, DHASCO-T oil, has been approved by Health Canada for use as a food ingredient. The approval is for per serving levels of not less than eight mg and not more than 100 mg of DHA, an important omega-3 fatty acid. Martek DHA has been approved for use in infant formula in Canada since 2002.

Martek's DHASCO-T oil contains the long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), the key omega-3 fatty acid for brain and eye development and function. Numerous scientific studies demonstrate that people of all ages, from infants to adults, may benefit from an adequate supply of DHA in the diet. Yet, despite its importance, natural food sources of DHA are limited primarily to fatty fish, making it difficult for many people to get enough DHA in their diets.
Foods fortified with DHA are becoming a growing source of DHA in the diets of people around the world. The recent Health Canada approval of Martek's DHASCO-T oil 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.

"Government bodies are recognizing the importance of DHA to human nutrition throughout the lifecycle," said Henry "Pete" Linsert, Jr., Martek's chairman and CEO. "It is heartening to know that with this approval, more and more people will be able to benefit from Martek's DHA, a vegetarian source of DHA that can be incorporated into many foods without affecting the taste of the finished product."

Other DHA products approved at these significant levels for food use in Canada are derived from fish oil. Martek's DHASCO-T oil is unique in the market because it is a vegetarian DHA from a sustainable, environmentally- friendly source. Made from algae under tightly controlled manufacturing conditions, Martek DHA is free of oceanic contaminants that may be present in certain fish or fish oils. Algae are the only vegetarian source of DHA, the key omega-3 for brain development and function.

Martek Biosciences Corporation (MATK) is a leader in the innovation and development of omega-3 DHA products that promote health and wellness through every stage of life. The Company produces Martek DHA(TM), a vegetarian source of the omega-3 fatty acid DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), for use in foods, infant formula, and supplements, and ARA (arachidonic acid), an omega-6 fatty acid, for use in infant formula. For more information on Martek Biosciences, visit http://www.martek.com.

Sections of this release contain forward-looking statements concerning, among other things, expectations regarding product acceptance, customer plans and the economic impact to Martek of Health Canada's acceptance of DHASCO-T oil as a food ingredient. These statements are based upon numerous assumptions which Martek cannot control and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ. For instance, Martek cannot predict with certainty what its customers' future actions will be or whether the effect of the Health Canada acceptance would impact Martek's long-term competitive position. These statements should be understood in light of the risk factors set forth in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, but not limited to, Part II, Item 1A of the Company's Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended January 31, 2006 and other filed reports on Form 10-K-A, Form 10-Q and Form 8-K.