Date: 2 May 2006

Ocean Spray ITG, the world’s leading cranberry producer, has announced it is doubling production capacity at its processing plant in Middleboro, Massachussets. The move fulfils the company’s pledge to increase capacity and boost new product development capability.

Since the site went operational a year ago, sales of Ocean Spray ITG’s cranberry-based ingredients have reached a record high. 

Rob Beams, Vice-President at Ocean Spray ITG said: “As consumer demand for functional foods shows no sign of abating, manufacturers are continuing to seek new and healthy ingredients – and we are gearing up accordingly.

“The latest research, for example, showing that sweetened dried cranberries may offer identical anti-bacterial properties to cranberry juice, is set to broaden the cranberry’s well-established health message into new applications, including baked goods, cereals and trail mix.

“This major investment underlines our commitment to our customers, who will benefit from faster turnaround times, innovative new products such as our BerryFusions™ Fruits range that was developed and is produced at Middleboro, and ingredient quality that is second to none.”