Mente Viva Drinkable Yogurt with life'sDHA Now Available in Italy

15/11/06 DHA omega-3 innovator Martek Biosciences Corporation announced that Italian dairy company Latteria Merano/Milchhof Meran has launched Mente Viva fortified drinkable yogurt with life'sDHA. Now available in regional supermarket chains throughout Italy, Mente Viva fortified drinkable yogurt is a probiotic product enriched with DHA omega-3 and offered in strawberry and banana flavors.

"This product launch is further evidence of the growing worldwide recognition of the health benefits of DHA and the ability of food manufacturers to create great-tasting, healthy products which contain Martek's life'sDHA," said Steve Dubin, CEO of Martek Biosciences. "Martek is pleased to be working with Latteria Merano/Milchhof Meran, one of the most innovative dairy companies in Italy."

DHA omega-3 is a long-chain omega-3 fatty acid that serves as a primary building block for the brain and the eyes and supports brain, eye and cardiovascular health throughout life. There is a large and growing body of scientific evidence demonstrating that people of all ages, from infants to aging adults, benefit from an adequate supply of DHA omega-3 in the diet. Several recent scientific reviews have noted the importance of DHA omega-3 in proper brain and eye function, and there are large studies currently underway to investigate its role in decreasing the prevalence of certain neurological disorders.

Martek's life'sDHA is unique in the market because it is derived from a sustainable and vegetarian source. Made from microalgae under tightly controlled manufacturing conditions, life'sDHA is free of oceanic contaminants that may be present in certain fish or fish oils. Microalgae are the only vegetarian source of DHA omega-3, the key omega-3 for brain and eye development and function.

"After researching various options, it was clear that only Martek's life'sDHA could offer us the right characteristics for Mente Viva," said Dr. Valentin Verdorfer of research and development at Latteria Merano/Milchhof Meran. "Unlike omega-3s from fish oils, life'sDHA has a clean taste and aroma so it does not compromise the quality, particularly the flavor, of our product. Considering that overfishing is a serious threat for future generations, we also are pleased to offer our customers an ethical solution. So far, we're confident that our partnership with Martek and life'sDHA is set for continued growth."