NEW YORK, August 2, 2007 – Public health officials and the news media have recently been sending a resounding message that Americans need more Omega-3 in their diets. Italica Imports, in an effort to give consumers the healthiest products on the market today, recently introduced a Spanish Extra Virgin olive oil enriched with Omega-3. This product aligns itself with increased consumer demand for functional foods driven by consumer lifestyle changes, increasing health awareness and an aging population.

Available in 17 ounce bottles, Italica Extra Virgin Olive Oil with Omega-3 is enriched with 13.8 grams of Omega-3 fatty acids. Originally derived from hake, salmon and codfish, the Omega-3 in Italica's new product is infused into the olive oil during the bottling process. Supportive but not conclusive research shows that consumption of EPA and DHA Omega-3 fatty acids may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease.

Lucy Landesman, president of Italica Imports, said, “There have been a number of studies and news articles about the benefits garnered from a diet rich in Omega-3. According to leading health professionals, Omega-3 has been shown to reduce stress and play a crucial role in the prevention of stress-related conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, dementia and depression. Use Italica Extra Virgin Olive Oil Enriched with Omega-3 as you would any other olive oil -- in salad dressings, sauces, marinades, bread dips and more.”

In addition to the health benefits of Omega-3, Italica Extra Virgin Olive Oil with Omega-3 contains no more than 0.8% acidity and is judged to have a superior taste while still retaining antioxidants and nutrients to make it a "Heart Healthy" product. The product additionally provides polyphenols and Vitamin E, both antioxidants. Limited and not conclusive scientific evidence suggests that eating about two tablespoons (23 grams) of olive oil daily may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease due to the monounsaturated fat in olive oil. To achieve this possible benefit, olive oil is to replace a similar amount of saturated fat and not increase the total number of calories you eat in a day.