Live Better Brands sprouts in Canada

Live Better Brands has announced the purchase of Stirling, Ont.-based Bio-Essential Botanicals, a sprouted food manufacturer.

The Minnesota company produces all-natural snacks under the Way Better Snacks brand name. Product line such as Simply Sprouted Tortilla Chips and Simply Sprouted Pita-ahh Chips incorporate sprouted ingredients like flaxseed, chia seeds quinoa, black beans, broccoli seeds and kale seeds – all sourced from BioEssential Botanicals.

BioEssentials and Live Better Brands have worked together since Live Better's launch in 2011. Jim Breen, CEO and founder of Live Better Brands, says the acquisition helps lock in supply for Way Better and will help the two companies work on more innovation.

"When launching Way Better Snacks, we determined early on that BioEssentials Botanicals was a leader in its development and understanding of the sprouting process, an deep commitment to ingredient quality," Breen said.

Denis and Gail Barker, BioEssential's owners, have been in the germination business for over 30 years. They will continue to work under the Live Better umbrella under the acquisition agreement.

Breen said they are excited to communicate to Canadian consumers that their ingredients are produced in Ontario by true Canadian entrepreneurs.

"We have only just begun our quest to create nutritious foods that have a positive impact on overall health and well-being," said Breen."Expect many additional high quality, nutrient-dense products to be launched."