Bristol Farms Introduces Low-Mercury Seafood

Business Wire, May 31, 2007

Safe Harbor[R] Certified Seafood Now Available in 16 California Locations

CARSON, Calif. -- Bristol Farms, the industry-leading Southern California specialty and fresh grocery chain, has announced it will sell Safe Harbor certified seafood exclusively in all of its 15 Southern California stores and its San Francisco store beginning this week. Safe Harbor seafood is certified to be lower in mercury than government standards through testing conducted by Micro Analytical Systems, Inc. (MASI), San Rafael, Calif., developer of the world's first rapid, large-scale mercury-testing process for seafood.

Seafood sold with the Safe Harbor seal is certified to have a mercury level that is among the lowest available for each species. All Safe Harbor certified seafood meets a stricter standard than that set by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In 2006, MASI tested more seafood for mercury than the FDA has reported testing in the past 30 years.

"We are committed to providing our customers with the highest quality foods and Safe Harbor certified seafood testing allows us to demonstrate that commitment by being the first retailer in Southern California to offer certified low-mercury seafood," said Kevin Davis, Bristol Farms' President and CEO. "Our customers are extremely knowledgeable about the food they purchase, and we expect Safe Harbor certified seafood to address concerns some may have about mercury levels in fish and seafood. It's a perfect fit with our philosophy of offering the best quality and freshest products available."

About MASI

Micro Analytical Systems, Inc. (MASI) is the pioneer of the world's first rapid, large-scale mercury-testing process for seafood. MASI currently tests more seafood for mercury each year than any other company or government in the world. MASI provides consumers with seafood tested and certified to be among the lowest in mercury available under the Safe Harbor([R]) seal. Founded in 2002, MASI is headquartered in San Rafael, Calif. For more information, visit www.safeharborfoods.com.