25 Feb 2010 --- Nutrition 21, Inc., the developer and marketer of nutritional ingredients for the dietary supplement, functional food and beverage markets announced that chromium picolinate has been officially approved for sale in Canada as a natural health product by Health Canada, the Canadian federal agency devoted to maintaining and improving the health of the nation's citizens.  As a result of this approval, Nutrition 21 can now sell its Chromax brand of chromium picolinate to Canadian manufacturers, marketers, and importers of natural health products.

Natural health products (referred to as dietary supplements in the U.S.) require approval from Health Canada prior to marketing in Canada. After reviewing the safety and efficacy of chromium picolinate, Health Canada issued a revised monograph which now allows applicants access to an expedited licensing process taking less than 60 days. This process can help manufacturers more quickly get chromium picolinate products into the Canadian market.

"Chromium picolinate is now the only organically bound chromium approved for sale in U.S., European Union, and Canadian markets," stated William J. Levi, vice president, Ingredients and Special Markets. "We are delighted to be informed of the Canadian approval of chromium picolinate, which now allows us to expand sales of our Chromax ingredient to natural health product manufacturers and marketers servicing the Canadian market."

Michael A. Zeher, president and chief executive officer of Nutrition 21, Inc., added, "Access to new markets worldwide provides Nutrition 21 with a strong platform to accelerate expansion of our ingredients business and is consistent with our new strategic growth plans.  Chromium picolinate's regulatory approval in Canada and the European Union provides further credence to the product's safety and utility."