LONDON, July 7 /PRNewswire/ --

The 2008 Frost Sullivan Global Food and Beverage Prebiotics Product Innovation
Award is presented to Ireland-based Marigot Ltd. and U.S.-based GTC Nutrition
for their unique partnership product concept - CalciLife(TM). This
prebiotic-based mineral absorption-enhancer aims at simultaneously promoting
bone, digestive and immune health.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20081117/FSLOGO)

The companies have answered the needs of a growing consumer demographic by
innovatively targeting nutrition and health within the developing global
functional food ingredients market with their science-based combination product,
notes Frost Sullivan Industry Analyst Dr. Deborah Cross. CalciLife(TM) has an
attractive future as a fortification product, with bone health-enhancing
effects.

The CalciLife(TM) concept innovatively combines two signature products,
Marigot's Aquamin(R) multi-mineral scientifically proven product and GTC
Nutrition's prebiotic NutraFlora(R) short-chain fructo-oligosaccharides
(scFOS(R)). Utilising the multi-mineral absorption and enhancement facility of
the prebiotic and sourcing the minerals from a novel seaweed source, the product
format within CalciLife(TM) delivers an optimised mineral delivery system for
consumers, particularly for calcium delivery in the context of bone health.

This product combination supports multiple benefits in mineral absorption and
bone health and also in digestive and immune health, states Dr. Cross. This
product is strongly tailored toward the functional foods market.

Aquamin(R) and CalciLife(TM) both contain an array of 74 trace minerals,
including a dairy- and allergen-free calcium source. As a result, the Aquamin(R)
ingredient is suitable for consumption by lactose-intolerant individuals. Such a
focus fills a niche in the market, meeting the need of the increasing numbers of
lactose intolerant consumers.

CalciLife(TM) is unlike other marine-derived ingredients, with its unique
function of improving organoleptic properties when compared to other calcium
sources. This function ensures that the finished product is clean-tasting and
has no tainting when consumed.

This product is also unusual in that the calcium source, Aquamin(R), is derived
completely from algal plant sources, and thus can be produced from a sustainable
resource. Additionally, the product also has a unique porous structure to absorb
any unwanted flavours from oils, fats and liquids within the finished product.

The competitive advantage of CalciLife(TM) arises from its sustainable sourcing
and unique composition of over 70 essential trace minerals, giving it a
dual-concept and value-added approach, adds Dr. Cross. Additionally,
CalciLife(TM), containing both NutraFlora(R) prebiotic scFOS(R) and Aquamin(R),
offers a combined effect on the texture and product characteristics of the
finished food or beverage product.

Aquamin(R) and CalciLife(TM) are among a very small number of plant-based
calcium sources on the market. All other sources are inorganically-derived. The
Aquamin(R) and CalciLife(TM) products are available in a variety of product
formats, which helps the company to do business with diverse clients in both the
functional food and food supplement sectors.

Thus, this product is a front-runner in the global food ingredients market, and
to date has been widely utilised in product applications within the beverage,
confectionery and bakery markets, as well as the dairy market, concludes Dr.
Cross. Marigot and GTC Nutrition have stated that research into potential
applications in ultra-heat treated (UHT) milk, long-life yoghurt drinks and in
spoonable yoghurt are ongoing, as well as applications in pain relief.

The Frost Sullivan Award for Product Innovation is presented to the company that
has demonstrated excellence in new products and technologies within its
industry. The recipient company has shown innovation by launching a broad line
of emerging products and technologies.

Frost Sullivan Best Practices Awards recognise companies in a variety of
regional and global markets for demonstrating outstanding achievement and
superior performance in areas such as leadership, technological innovation,
customer service, and strategic product development. Industry analysts compare
market participants and measure performance through in-depth interviews,
analysis, and extensive secondary research in order to identify best practices
in the industry.

About Marigot Ltd.

Established in 1992 Marigot is the Food Ingredients company within the wider
Marigot Group. Marigot has since its inception positioned itself at the
forefront of technology and innovation by adopting a high profile - in depth
scientific approach to the research and market development of Aquamin(tm).
Aquamin natures leading multi-mineral is growing in acceptance among the wider
scientific community following a number of peer review publications. Extensively
tested in osteo-health inflammation areas Aquamin is the leading scientifically
proven multi-mineral for bone and joint health improvement.

Today Aquamin is being sold in over 25 countries covering a wide customer base
with multiple applications in Foods, Beverages and Dietary supplement
applications.

About GTC Nutrition

GTC Nutrition is a recognized leader in providing innovative, customized
ingredient solutions along with scientific, technical and marketing expertise to
the food processing, dietary supplement and animal feed industries. GTC
Nutrition promotes health globally with innovative functional food ingredients
and unsurpassed customer support. For more information, visit
gtcnutritionsolutions.com.

About Frost Sullivan

Frost Sullivan, the Growth Partnership Company, enables clients to accelerate
growth and achieve best in class positions in growth, innovation and leadership.
The company's Growth Partnership Service provides the CEO and the CEO's Growth
Team with disciplined research and best practice models to drive the generation,
evaluation and implementation of powerful growth strategies. Frost Sullivan
leverages over 45 years of experience in partnering with Global 1000 companies,
emerging businesses and the investment community from 31 offices on six
continents. To join our Growth Partnership, please visit http://www.frost.com.

Contact: Catherine Brassell Promotions Coordinator P: +44-207-915-7867
catherine.brassell@frost.com www.frost.com



SOURCE: Frost SOURCE: Sullivan

Catherine Brassell, Promotions Coordinator, Frost Sullivan, +44-207-915-7867,
catherine.brassell@frost.com; Photo:
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20081117/FSLOGO