The Healthy Grain secures Itochu Corporation as a new strategic partner to strengthen BARLEYMAX® distribution

The Healthy Grain (“THG”) has entered into a Strategic Partnership Agreement with major Japanese trading company, Itochu Corporation (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo) (hereinafter “Itochu”) to strengthen the distribution of BARLEYMAX®. THG and Itochu have entered into a long-term agreement whereby Itochu has acquired the exclusive distribution rights for the Super Barley™ BARLEYMAX® in Japan and Taiwan.

This new strategic partnership builds on the market development by THG’s previous international partner, Teijin Limited, who successfully introduced BARLEYMAX® to consumers and food companies in Japan and Taiwan. BARLEYMAX® can now be found in more than 85 products in the Japanese and Taiwanese markets with potential for further product expansion and continued innovation. BARLEYMAX® is also featured in a range of popular Australian bakery products (including the Coles Happy Gut bread range, Burgen’s Cholesterol Lowering loaf, select artisan loaves from Edwards Sourdough), and is available as a stand-alone product under the Elevate Food Co. brand.

BARLEYMAX® was developed by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO). It is an Australian grown non-GMO super food containing more than 30% total dietary fibre, 15% protein, and four prebiotics and has demonstrated its versatility in almost all food applications. BARLEYMAX® has more than 40 times the dietary fibre of white rice, 8 times the dietary fibre of brown rice and more than 3 times the dietary fibre of oats. Its strength as a super food is shown in its adaptability to food and cuisines of all types in Australia, Asia and Europe and its efficacy as a functional food is supported by clinical trials.

There is a significant dietary fibre gap in populations globally, as well as a growing awareness of the importance of dietary fibre and its impact on gut health and overall health and longevity. BARLEYMAX® will continue to play an important role in fulfilling consumers’ needs for better nutrition from foods and providing preventative health outcomes.

THG looks forward to working with Itochu to meet consumers’ growing demands for dietary fibre in Japan and Taiwan as well as continuing its mission of providing BARLEYMAX® to more consumers and food companies globally.

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