December 14, 2011 08:30 ET

Company to Focus on Multiple New Applications for Stabilized Rice Bran and Derivatives in European and Asian Markets

SCOTTSDALE, AZ--(Marketwire - Dec 14, 2011) - NutraCea (OTCQB: NTRZ) (PINKSHEETS: NTRZ), a global leader in the production and marketing of value added products derived from rice bran, along with its exclusive distribution partner for EMEA and other markets, BENEO, recently participated at the FI Europe & NI 2011 industry event held in Paris Nord Villepinte, France, where the distribution partners launched their joint effort to introduce new and novel applications for Stabilized Rice Bran (SRB), Defatted Rice Bran (DRB) and other NutraCea rice bran derivative products in global food production. Held every two years, over twenty five thousand people attended this year's FIE & NI event, which was the largest turn out to date.

At the event, both companies received significant interest in the potential application of SRB and DRB from food producers as well as seasoning manufacturers. Significant interest was expressed by meat companies related to SRB's emulsification properties. In addition, much interest was generated about DRB's ability to reduce oil pick up in par-fried and fully fried foods which improves the nutritional statements of products such as chicken nuggets.

Dominique Speleers, Commercial Managing Director of BENEO-Remy, stated, "What was clear from our participation at the FI Europe show is that the global food industry is undergoing rapid change. Producers are looking for cost-effective new products and solutions that can help satisfy consumer demand for healthier, environmentally conscious food products. Marketed under our RemyLiVe brand, NutraCea's stabilized rice bran holds a potential key to meeting this demand. We are excited to be working closely with the NutraCea team to exploit these opportunities in our exclusive markets."

NutraCea's proprietary and patented technologies allow it to take the often discarded by-products of rice milling, rice bran, and convert it into valued added functional food ingredients and edible oils, usable in a number of high-quality human food applications such as ready to eat cereals, baked goods, pasta, processed meats, nutrition bars, and batters and breadings, as well as high quality animal nutrition products, all in a sustainable and renewable way.

"FI Europe was a terrific venue for NutraCea and Beneo to collaborate to launch our co-branded stabilized rice bran products. It was also an opportunity to identify NutraCea's range of products as viable economic and functional solutions for a number of key food industry trends that expand the opportunity for our products. With growing global interest in healthier alternatives, such as gluten-free food, our rice bran products are uniquely positioned to become an important food ingredient option for producers," said W. John Short, Chief Executive Officer of NutraCea. "In addition to our work with Beneo targeted at the exclusive distribution markets, NutraCea also had the opportunity to meet with existing and potential partners and customers from around the globe, opening new market opportunities for our company in underserved markets in Asia and Eastern and Central Europe, markets that hold promise for future growth."

http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/nutracea-completes-successful-fi-europe-trade-show-otcqb-ntrz-1598373.htm