Toronto, Oct. 27, 2009 - SunOpta Inc. today provided an update on fiber operations within the SunOpta Ingredients Group and announced that the Group has expanded its portfolio of fiber products to include MultiFiber(TM) blends, SunOpta(TM) Soy Fiber blends, and SunOpta(TM) Pea Fiber.
Internally developed, MultiFiber(TM) products are highly functional blends of fibers that meet the needs of customers who are looking for a cost efficient, easy-to-use source of fiber for fortification while meeting specific textural goals. All MultiFiber(TM) products deliver a concentrated source of dietary fiber with a smooth texture and bland flavor. These new and innovative ingredients are expected to provide value for food and beverage manufacturers who are looking for ratios of soluble and insoluble fibers similar to what occurs naturally in foods.
SunOpta(TM) Soy Fiber Blends, also internally developed, provide a unique combination of functional fiber and protein that increases yield, moistness and maintains desired firmness in meat products. The new and proprietary blends utilize internally sourced soy fiber derived from SunOpta's vertically integrated soymilk process.
The SunOpta Ingredients Group also announced that it has entered into a distribution agreement with Best Cooking Pulses of Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, Canada who will produce pea fiber under the SunOpta brand. Pea fiber is made from the hulls of field-dried peas and is a by-product of pea splitting. The process of making pea fiber is highly sustainable from start to finish. Pea crops are not irrigated and the manufacturing process uses little water in the cleaning, splitting and milling into fiber. This insoluble fiber fits well with SunOpta's line of natural oat, soy, and barley fibers.
Doug Shreves, President of the SunOpta Ingredients Group, commented, "We are continually seeking to expand our healthy ingredient solutions and believe our new fiber blends and our relationship with Best Cooking Pulses are major steps in continuing to provide nutritious and functional fiber ingredients for our customers. With the growing demand for fiber fortified foods, we believe these additions are key to meeting market demand while at the same time positioning the SunOpta Ingredients Group for continued growth."
SunOpta Ingredients Group is part of the SunOpta Food Group and by management's estimates is the world's largest producer of oat fiber for the food industry. The Group is headquartered in Chelmsford, Massachusetts and has five manufacturing facilities. A key component of the Company's growth strategy is to expand its fiber business globally by leveraging its core competencies in the development, manufacture and application of highly functional food fibers.