Emergen-C Blue and Surfrider Foundation Partner to Improve Water Quality at Beaches and Coastal Areas

FOOTHILL RANCH, CA--(Marketwire - Nov 2, 2011) - Today, Alacer Corp. -- maker of Emergen-C Blue vitamin drink mix -- announced that, in partnership with the Surfrider Foundation, they are working to raise awareness about the need for clean water and alert communities about water quality issues through the Emergen-C Blue Water Task Force.

There are many sources of water pollution at our beaches and coastal areas, including storm water runoff, human sewage leaks and spills, agricultural runoff, pets, and wildlife. Exposure to bacteria and other disease causing pathogens from these sources put swimmers and surfers at risk of getting sick and suffering from skin rashes, infections, and gastrointestinal illnesses.

The Emergen-C Blue Water Task Force monitors bacteria levels at beaches and freshwater sites, and compares them to federal water quality standards established by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to protect public health in recreational waters.

Volunteers from participating chapters post water quality monitoring results at www.surfrider.org/blue-water-task-force to alert swimmers, surfers, and the general public of pollution incidents and longer-term water quality issues in their local communities. In most locations, state and local beach monitoring programs are underfunded and limited in scope. The Emergen-C Blue Water Task Force is able to provide valuable water quality information where it is otherwise scarce or unavailable. Chapters have also used their water quality data to identify beach and water pollution issues, and have worked collaboratively within their local communities to implement solutions for pollution problem(s).

"Emergen-C Blue and the Surfrider Foundation have forged a partnership on a shared interest -- clean water," said Meghann Seidner, Emergen-C Senior Brand Manager. "As clean water becomes an increasingly scarce resource, we are committed to supporting, enhancing, and extending the efforts of the Surfrider Foundation so that beach and coastal waterways can be enjoyed safely by everyone."

Comprised of approximately 28 chapters, the Emergen-C Blue Water Task Force monitors beaches along the Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, and Pacific Coasts, as well as the tropical waters of Puerto Rico and Hawaii. There are numerous ways in which local chapters participate, including collecting water samples at their local beaches and running their own water testing labs, delivering water samples to local or state labs, and/or partnering with other coastal organizations such as universities, aquariums, and watershed groups to monitor water quality and identify pollution issues. Many Task Force programs are also based in schools and provide a valuable educational experience for local students.

"The Emergen-C Blue Water Task Force is our most active, volunteer-run, water testing, education, and advocacy program," said Chad Nelsen, Environmental Director of the Surfrider Foundation. "The support of Emergen-C Blue has greatly enhanced our ability to communicate our water quality information in beach communities and to activate local stakeholders and decision makers to address and fix their water pollution issues."

The program was created because surfers were tired of getting sick from surfing in polluted waters and wanted to take action. The Task Force precipitated the establishment of state and local government water quality monitoring programs in many communities and continues to improve public knowledge of the safety of beach water. Through the help of Emergen-C Blue, the Surfrider Foundation has developed a website to store and display their water quality data. This site serves as a platform to alert surfers, swimmers, and the general public of beach water quality conditions and to engage local communities to solve their water pollution issues.

As a sponsor of the Surfrider Foundation since 2009, Emergen-C Blue has donated more than $100,000 to the organization. For every box of Emergen-C Blue sold, 20 cents is donated to the Surfrider Foundation to further clean water initiatives. Emergen-C Blue is made with blueberry, blackberry and raspberry flavors, and real juice powers, fizzing in water to provide 24 nutrients, including 1,000 mg of vitamin C, seven B vitamins, electrolytes, and more.

About Alacer Corp.
For more than 35 years, Alacer Corp., based in Foothill Ranch, California, has been an industry leader and innovator in developing, manufacturing, and marketing dietary supplements and nutritionally enhanced products that support an energetic, healthy lifestyle. It produces almost 500 million packets of Emergen-C annually, which are sold in health food stores, supermarkets, drug stores, mass merchandisers, and club stores nationwide.

About Emergen-C
The Emergen-C brand provides fun, fast ways to enhance your health and energy every day.* The product line is sold in more than 15 flavors, including the original formula with top sellers Super Orange and Raspberry. Philanthropic flavors include Emergen-C Blue to benefit Surfrider Foundation; Emergen-C Pink to fund breast cancer awareness, research, and prevention efforts; and Emergen-C Planet to benefit Whole Planet Foundation. The complete Multi-Vitamin line offers formulas for kids and adults, while the functional products include Joint Health,* Heart Health,* and Vitamin D & Calcium.* For those looking for a way to further support their immune systems, Emergen-C now offers Immune+ System Support with Vitamin D.* For more information about Emergen-C products, please visit emergenc.com. Please visit us on Twitter and Facebook.

About Surfrider Foundation
Surfrider Foundation is a non-profit grassroots organization dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of our world's oceans, waves and beaches. Founded in 1984 by a handful of visionary surfers in Malibu, Calif., the Surfrider Foundation now maintains over 50,000 members and 80 chapters worldwide. For more information on Surfrider Foundation, go to surfrider.org. Please visit us on Twitter and Facebook.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Emergen-C, Emergen-C Kidz, Emergen-C Pink and Emergen-C Blue are registered trademarks of Alacer Corp.
©MMXI Alacer Corp. All Rights Reserved.

SURFRIDER and the SURFRIDER LOGO are registered service marks of Surfrider Foundation.