Italica Imports Revolutionizes the Olive Oil Market

NEW YORK, September 2006 – This October, olive oil becomes even more healthful. Italica Imports (www.italicaoliveoil.com), one of the leading producers and distributors of Spanish olive oil in the United States, will introduce the world’s first extra virgin olive oil enriched with Omega-3 fatty acids. As endorsed by the FDA in 2005, just two tablespoons of olive oil a day may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. While all olive oil promotes better health, Italica Imports’ new Omega-3 enriched olive oil does what other commercial brands do not -- delivers an even greater nutritional punch from the addition of essential fatty acids.

Derived from hake, salmon and codfish, the omega-3s in Italica’s new product are incorporated into the olive oil during the bottling process. Omega-3s, or essential fatty acids (EFAs), are unsaturated fats that fuel the body with energy and influence a wide variety of body functions. Omega-3s have been proven to reduce stress and play a crucial role in the prevention of stress-related diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, dementia and depression. Essential for brain development, omega-3s are vital components of brain tissue and neurons. Research also indicates that they support cognitive function, nerves and overall mental health. As a daily supplement, omega-3s can support and promote healthy joints and help decrease pain and stiffness. In fact, omega-3s support the entire cardiovascular system by keeping arteries flexible, as well as preventing and possibly reversing the effects of cholesterol blockages.

While there are many ways to incorporate omega-3 fatty acids into a healthy diet, such as flaxseed and fish oil, none are as simple to use or delicious in taste as Italica’s new product. Drizzle omega-3 enriched olive oil with balsamic vinegar onto a heart-healthy salad of arugula, sunflower seeds, dried cranberries and grilled salmon for the perfect lunch; or toss potatoes with omega-3 olive oil, rosemary, salt and pepper for delicious and healthy oven fries. Saute seasonal vegetables and lean protein with garlic and omega-3 olive oil for a quick and tasty dinner. Italica’s omega-3 olive oil is also easily incorporated into children’s meals, such as a simple dish of pasta with omega-3 olive oil and Parmesan cheese. Priced at $7.99 for a 17-ounce unbreakable plastic bottle, Italica’s new olive oil is the perfect solution for incorporating these essential fats into a healthy diet.

Italica Imports’ extra virgin olive oil enriched with omega-3 fatty acids will be available to consumers in October 2006, in New York City at Pathmark and Key Foods stores, as well as Publix stores in Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina. Distribution will continue to expand throughout the entire East Coast, with plans to have Italica’s new olive oil available in grocery stores across the United States. Protect the heart, soothe the joints and lower cholesterol while enjoying the delicious flavor of pure Spanish olive oil.

About Italica’s Spanish Olive Oil

Spain is the world’s leading producer and exporter of olive oil, producing over one million tons annually and exporting an average of 400,000 tons per year. The exportation of Spain’s olive oil has existed since the days of the Roman Empire, and Italica is named after the first city founded by the Roman Empire in southern Spain. The Romans soon found that the oil produced from the olives grown in the area surrounding the city of Italica, located in the heart of Andalucia, was sweet and quite flavorful. Italica soon became one of the major centers of olive oil production for the Roman Empire, and olive oil from the city was shipped to all corners of the known world. In fact, much of the “Italian” olive oil exported to the United States today is Spanish olive oil repackaged in Italy.

Today, the Italica brand guarantees the same high quality product that has been enjoyed throughout the Mediterranean for over 2,000 years. Italica Imports operates six olive crushing plants in Spain, producing an oil that is a delicious, artfully blended combination of selective olive varieties, picked at the height of their flavor, then pressed, bottled and shipped directly from Spain. Italica's olive growers have perfected the methods of cultivation, preparation, grinding, pressing and separation of water from oil in the fruit. The refined oils used in Italica’s blend are prepared without chemical means, and by using the latest refining process. The final product is neither greasy nor bitter.

Other Italica Products and Innovations

In addition to their innovative new extra virgin olive oil enriched with omega-3s, Italica Imports produces both pure and extra virgin olive oils available in clear plastic bottles, in a variety of sizes. When Italica was first introduced to the market in 1987, olive oil was only packaged in tins or glass bottles. Italica devised a plastic bottle that was molecularly aligned to be lightweight and virtually unbreakable, yet maintain the integrity of the product. This new package resulted in lower shipping and warehousing costs as well as significantly fewer losses due to damages. Since Italica’s introduction of the plastic olive oil bottle, all major olive oil brands have followed suit, packaging many of their sizes in plastic.

About Italica Imports

Based in Scarsdale, New York, Italica Imports is a division of Cory International Corp., a third generation family-owned business with over 70 years of experience in packing and distributing olives (Tee Pee Olives) and olive oil. Today, Tee Pee Olives/Italica Imports is the largest importer and packer of bulk Spanish green olives in the U.S. The Tee Pee Olives plant is located in Norfolk, Virginia, and packs over 1.5 million cases of Spanish green olives a year to serve over 200 retail and food service accounts. Tee Pee Olives also specializes in branded and private label Spanish green olives and international condiments.

Italica’s partner in Spain for producing and packaging their olive oil is Aceites del Sur, founded in 1840, specializing in the production, refining, packing, and exporting of olive oil from Spain. Their products are marketed and distributed to over 70 countries worldwide and the company is ranked one of the top five olive oil producers in the world.

Lucy Landesman was named the first female president of Italica Imports and Tee Pee Olives in 2004. She has strived to revitalize the brand by developing new innovations and products. Italica Imports redesigned their labels to include a heart-shaped reminder that consumers should consume two tablespoons a day to achieve better health. Italica is constantly evolving and exploring new ideas, such as a line of organic olive oils and olives, as well as an olive oil enriched with vitamins E and D.

Tee Pee Olives/Italica Imports is a member of the Women’s Business Enterprise, which requires at least 51% ownership by one or more women, as well as members of the American Food Institute (AFI). Italica Imports is also ISO Certified to produce Kosher products, and is soon to be certified as USDA Organic.