New facility in Thailand enables Sundia to expand cut fruit line
New facility in Thailand enables Sundia to expand cut fruit line
Sundia Corp., based in Oakland, CA, announced that its certified organic manufacturing facility in Thailand is open for business. The new facility will process and package "True Fruit Organic" brand fruit cups, which are filled with organically grown mangos, peaches or pineapple.
Following the success of its "True Fruit" premium cut-fruit line that began shipping in July 2007, Sundia began construction of its own manufacturing facility in Thailand. The new facility is equipped with proprietary, state-of- the-art equipment that meets stringent safety standards while being capable of meeting production capacities required to meet the growing demand for organic foods.
"We chose Thailand for a number of reasons, the first being the country's early commitment to adhering to the principles of sustainable, organic agriculture," James Kairos, vice president of manufacturing for Sundia Corp., said in a press release. "Thailand is internationally respected for its early support for organic farming practices, influenced in large part by an overwhelmingly Buddhist population that believes that organic production is harmonious with nature."
Mr. Kairos also noted that Thailand enables Sundia to meet international demand for organic foods, which has been rising by 20 percent a year in the United States, western Europe, Japan, Australia and Singapore.
"True Fruit Organic" is aimed at environmentally aware and health-conscious consumers. For these consumers, healthy eating revolves around chemical- free foods that have minimal, if any, impact on the environment.
According to the Organic Trade Association, nearly 75 percent of Americans now buy organic products at least once a year.
" 'True Fruit Organic' makes it easy for these consumers to get their recommended two cups of fruit per day," Mr. Kairos added in the press release.
Sundia's manufacturing processes in its new Thai facility have been certified to adhere to the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990, which outlines the substances that cannot be used in organic production or during handling operations.
To achieve maximum food safety, the company is also using HACCP principles for the processing of its "True Fruit" products.
"It's a step beyond what's required for the manufacturing of products like 'True Fruit,' but consumers today want their food suppliers to take all the steps possible to ensure food safety," Mr. Kairos added.
Designed for ultimate convenience, "True Fruit Organic" products are packaged with a "spork," a combination spoon and fork that makes the fruit truly ready to eat. The cup also fits neatly into automobile cup holders and lunch boxes. Sundia executives believe that the Grab 'n Go packaging will boost impulse purchases for the category.
"Category growth has been spurred in large part by convenience and year- round availability of fruit," Mr. Kairos continued. "The Grab 'n Go packaging simply underscores the convenience aspect in the minds of consumers. Eventually, the same spork will be provided across the entire single-serve 'True Fruit' line."
Following the success of its "True Fruit" premium cut-fruit line that began shipping in July 2007, Sundia began construction of its own manufacturing facility in Thailand. The new facility is equipped with proprietary, state-of- the-art equipment that meets stringent safety standards while being capable of meeting production capacities required to meet the growing demand for organic foods.
"We chose Thailand for a number of reasons, the first being the country's early commitment to adhering to the principles of sustainable, organic agriculture," James Kairos, vice president of manufacturing for Sundia Corp., said in a press release. "Thailand is internationally respected for its early support for organic farming practices, influenced in large part by an overwhelmingly Buddhist population that believes that organic production is harmonious with nature."
Mr. Kairos also noted that Thailand enables Sundia to meet international demand for organic foods, which has been rising by 20 percent a year in the United States, western Europe, Japan, Australia and Singapore.
"True Fruit Organic" is aimed at environmentally aware and health-conscious consumers. For these consumers, healthy eating revolves around chemical- free foods that have minimal, if any, impact on the environment.
According to the Organic Trade Association, nearly 75 percent of Americans now buy organic products at least once a year.
" 'True Fruit Organic' makes it easy for these consumers to get their recommended two cups of fruit per day," Mr. Kairos added in the press release.
Sundia's manufacturing processes in its new Thai facility have been certified to adhere to the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990, which outlines the substances that cannot be used in organic production or during handling operations.
To achieve maximum food safety, the company is also using HACCP principles for the processing of its "True Fruit" products.
"It's a step beyond what's required for the manufacturing of products like 'True Fruit,' but consumers today want their food suppliers to take all the steps possible to ensure food safety," Mr. Kairos added.
Designed for ultimate convenience, "True Fruit Organic" products are packaged with a "spork," a combination spoon and fork that makes the fruit truly ready to eat. The cup also fits neatly into automobile cup holders and lunch boxes. Sundia executives believe that the Grab 'n Go packaging will boost impulse purchases for the category.
"Category growth has been spurred in large part by convenience and year- round availability of fruit," Mr. Kairos continued. "The Grab 'n Go packaging simply underscores the convenience aspect in the minds of consumers. Eventually, the same spork will be provided across the entire single-serve 'True Fruit' line."
