Sabinsa Tightens Standards on Selenium SeLECT, Gains NSFCertification

Sabinsa Tightens Standards on Selenium SeLECT, Gains NSFCertification

PISCATAWAY, N.J.Sabinsa Corp.lowered heavy metal limits in its Selenium SeLECT brand L-(+)-selenomthionine toensure the product would exceed tightening worldwide regulations. While the ingredient was already within U.S. Pharmacopoeia(USP) standards for heavy metals, the new limits are less than 1 ppm lead, andless than 0.5 ppm each for arsenic, cadmium and mercury.

As Selenium SeLECT continues to be used and sought after bytop-level national and international research organizations, we felt itnecessary to tighten our product specifications, said Todd Norton, president. Based on a comprehensive trendanalysis of actual analytical results, we were able to set these extremely lowheavy metal limits. In some markets Selenium SeLECT is now considered apharmaceutical grade ingredient.

Currently, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) is usingSelenium 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 separatelyand together, in the prevention of prostate cancer. NCI is also conducting thePrevention of Alzheimers by Selenium SeLECT and Vitamin E (PREADVISE) trialin conjunction with SeLECT.

Sabinsa also launched a new trade advertising campaign and anew Web site (www.seleniumselect.com) for Selenium SeLECT. According to HamePersaud, senior vice president of sales and marketing, the new campaignemphasizes the fact that Sabinsas selenium ingredient is used by NCI. The adsfeature a field of red tulips with a single yellow tulip representing theSabinsa offering. Selenium SeLECT stands alone in terms of quality,bioavailability and purity in the field of selenium ingredients currentlyavailable, Persaud said.

Finally, NSF International certified Selenium SeLECT as freeof contaminants, after a review of toxicology and purity testing. Several otherSabinsa ingredients have already been certified by NSF, and its manufacturingfacilities have also been audited to ensure compliance with cGMPs (GoodManufacturing Practices).