Baobab Powder Imported by Baobab Foods Receives National Organic Product (NOP) Certification from USDA

2012’s First Container of Baobest Powder Arrives on West Coast

BELLEVUE, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--After months of thorough review of baobab growing and harvesting practices, Afriplex, Baobab Foods’ processing partner in South Africa, earned the prized National Organic Product (NOP) certification from the USDA. The certification confirms the status of Baobest™ brand baobab—delivering 140,000 antioxidant ORAC units per 100-gram serving—as an organic food.

“As of this month, we own more baobab superfruit than any company in the Western Hemisphere and expect increasing demand to necessitate more shipments later this year.”

“USDA Organic” certification is issued by the organic certifying agency Ecocert and is fully accredited by the USDA. According to the USDA Web site, the “National Organic Program regulates the standards for any farm, wild crop harvesting, or handling operation that wants to sell an agricultural product as organically produced.” Baobab fruit grows in the wild, with fruit pods ripening and drying naturally on the tree. Once dried, the fruit requires minimal processing—no heat extraction, freeze drying or pasteurization. The dried fruit is simply milled and sieved into a fine, edible powder.

Baobab Foods is the exclusive U.S. and Canadian supplier of imported baobab products from Afriplex, the world’s premier producer. In addition to selling pure baobab Fruit Powder to food and beverage manufacturers, Baobab Foods is expanding its own Baobest line of foods, introducing Baobest Drink Mix and Baobest Fruit Cubes in the second quarter of this year. This month’s arrival of the container of baobab at the company’s West Coast warehousing facility gives Baobab Foods the largest stockpile of baobab in North America.

Growing interest in baobab products and as an ingredient is largely due to the fruit’s unique nutrient synergy, made possible by the minimal processing required to prepare the Fruit Powder for consumption. This nutrient synergy can help lower inflammation, and support a stronger immune system and healthier digestion.

The baobab superfruit’s unique nutrient properties include:

• Antioxidants – 140,000 ORAC units per 100-gram serving, according to the latest tests by Brunswick Labs.
• Fiber – composed of 50% total fiber, of which 75% is soluble fiber.
• Calcium – gram for gram, more calcium than milk.
• Vitamin C – six times more than orange juice.
• Magnesium – one of the highest levels of any fruit.
• Iron – more than red meat.
• Potassium – more than bananas and sweet potatoes.

“NOP certification is a fantastic testament to the quality and high standards our Afriplex partner employs to make our Baobest Fruit Powder,” said Stephan Broburg, general manager of Baobab Foods. “As of this month, we own more baobab superfruit than any company in the Western Hemisphere and expect increasing demand to necessitate more shipments later this year.”

About Baobab Foods

Baobab Foods is dedicated to introducing Americans and Canadians to the baobab superfruit, dubbed “The Vitamin Tree” by National Geographic Magazine and “The King of Superfruits” by other national publications. The company is the exclusive North American importer of baobab products from Afriplex of South Africa, a leading international supplier of wellness products and solutions. Baobab Foods markets its own line of baobab consumer products as well as Baobest Baobab Fruit Powder to food, beverage and supplement manufacturers for use in their own product lines. Baobab Foods and the Baobest trademark are the property of Baobab Foods in the United States and other countries. Learn more at www.baobabfoods.com, Facebook www.facebook.com/baobabfoods, Twitter http://twitter.com/baobabfoods, email [e-mail] or call 800-682-0221.