Earthrise, Cyanotech Cease Organic Spirulina Production

Earthrise, Cyanotech Cease Organic Spirulina Production

IRVINE, Calif. & KAILUA-KONA, HawaiiEarthrise Nutritionals andCyanotech Corp., two leading U.S. suppliers of spirulina, announced they ceasedproduction of organic spirulina in late October 2005. The suppliers noteregulatory changes in the allowable nitrogen sources for production disallowedthe use of a mined, water-soluble form of natural nitrogen, and use of sourcesallowed under federal regulations would compromise product safety.

Teams of scientists from both companies concluded that the potential forvery high bacterial levels and heavy metals is far too great under the newstandard, said Taro Ichimoto, executive vice president and chief operatingofficer (COO) at Earthrise. Although consumers like to see the word organicon the label, we wont produce an organic spirulina if it compromises thesafety of the product.

Gerald Cysewski, founder and chief executive officer (CEO) at Cyanotechagreed, adding: Cyanotech and Earthrise are the worlds premium producersof spirulina. Both companies thoroughly studied the situation and came to theconclusion that maintaining organic production under the new standard would leadto a lower quality product at a higher cost. Furthermore, with the use of thenew nitrogen sources, organic spirulina produced under the new standard may notbe considered vegetarian or vegan, a critical point of distinction to manyspirulina consumers.

Both companies are exhibiting at SupplySide East. For more information onEarthrise, visit www.earthrise.com or Booth #1625. For more information onCyanotech, visit www.cyanotech.com or Booth #1406.