PISCATAWAY, NJ, May 5, 2005 -- Sabinsa Corporation, a manufacturer and supplier of high quality herbal extracts, cosmeceuticals, minerals and specialty fine chemicals, will be allowed to continue sales of its Selenium SeLECT brand L-(+)-Selenomethionine for use in dietary supplements in the United Kingdom and Denmark.   On August 1, 2005, the European Union is scheduled to ban approximately 300 supplement ingredients as part of the Food Supplements Directive. Sabinsa submitted an extensive dossier containing research findings and safety data and was granted exemption from this directive for Selenium SeLECT, which was originally slated to be banned.  The remaining 23 member states of the European Union will grant derogation or accept the result of derogation by the United Kingdom and Denmark. 

"We are pleased to be able to continue providing manufacturers in the European Union with our high-quality, pure and safe selenomethionine, and in turn allow consumers to continue to reap the numerous health benefits associated with selenomethionine supplementation," stated Dr. Vladimir Badmaev, vice president of scientific and medical affairs, Sabinsa.  "We would like to thank our European suppliers Gee Lawson Nutritional in the UK and PharmaNord in Denmark for helping us gain this status in their respective countries."

Selenium is a trace mineral that is found naturally in soil and has been shown to have several positive health benefits.  Because there are lower levels of the mineral in European soil, individuals often do not meet the recommended dietary allowance of 55 mg per day through food sources, making supplementation increasingly important.  When in the form of selenomethionine, which is an organic compound and the predominant form of selenium found in natural occurring food products, selenium is more than twice as available to be absorbed and used by the body.

Selenium SeLECT is Sabinsa Corporation¹s branded L-(+)-Selenomethionine compound, the most bioavailable, pure and safe form of selenium.  Currently, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) is using Selenium SeLECT for its Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial (SELECT), a 12-year study focused on the role of selenium and vitamin E, both separately and together, in the prevention of prostate cancer.  Shortly after this study began the following qualified health claim was issued by the FDA, "selenium may reduce the risk of certain cancers.  Some scientific evidence suggests that consumption of selenium may reduce the risk of certain forms of cancer. However, FDA has determined that this evidence is limited and not conclusive." Additionally, NCI is conducting the Prevention of Alzheimer's by Selenium SeLECT and Vitamin E (PREADVISE) trial in conjunction with SELECT. This study is researching the role of selenium and vitamin E in preventing memory damage with age, including Alzheimer's and other diseases that can affect the brain.  Selenium SeLECT was chosen for these NCI studies because of its high quality. The worldwide quality standard or USP monograph for selenomethionine is based on Selenium SeLECT.  For more information visit www.seleniumselect.com.

Sabinsa Corporation, founded in 1988, is a manufacturer and supplier of herbal extracts, cosmeceuticals, minerals and specialty fine chemicals.

Sabinsa's mission is to provide alternative and complementary natural products for human nutrition and well-being.  Over the past nine years, Sabinsa has brought to market more than 30 standardized botanical extracts and privately funded several clinical studies in conjunction with prestigious institutions in support of these products.  With more than 30 scientists working full time conducting ongoing research both in India and the United States, Sabinsa continues to develop and patent phytonutrients for the world market.  All products intended for human consumption are certified Kosher.   For more information visit www.sabinsa.com.

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