Simply Functional Introduces ChiaSmart® Salsa Line in New 12oz Ring Neck PET Container from Amcor


Stock Hot Fill Bottle Features Premium Glass Look While Delivering Light Weight, Reduced Breakage, and Lower Freight Costs

MANCHESTER, Mich., March 31, 2011 - Simply Functional LLC, a supplier of specialty health foods, has launched its ChiaSmart® line of salsas in new 12oz ring neck PET bottles from Amcor Rigid Plastics, the world's leading producer of rigid plastic packaging. The stock hot fill container delivers significant performance and cost advantages including portability (no breakage), light weight, and reduced transportation costs for distribution via Simply Functional's online fundraising channel and at retail and natural food stores.

The ChiaSmart line of salsas, salad dressings, and barbecue sauces are based on chia, a naturally grown grain that is rich in Omega-3 oil, antioxidants, dietary fiber, complex amino acids, calcium, and potassium. For the salsa, Simply Functional opted for the 12oz PET bottle instead of glass or PP. The company plans to transition later to ambient 12oz PET containers for its salad dressing and hot fill 12oz PET bottles for its barbecue sauce products, replacing competitive plastics.

"Amcor's 12oz PET bottle is a premium option that uniquely meets our distribution needs," said Alex Sedlecky, chief operating officer for Simply Functional. "It is light weight, break resistant, recyclable, and mimics the appearance of glass."

The 29g bottle weighs nearly 90% less than glass, resulting in a weight savings of 6.8 lb per 12-pack case, or approximately 1100 lb per pallet load, according to Sedlecky. The 12oz ring neck bottle is recyclable and offers pleasing aesthetics and strong shelf appeal for the ChiaSmart brand which is targeted for health- and "green"- conscious consumers. In addition to its online distribution channel, the salsa products are sold at Hy-Vee®, a chain of 232 retail stores throughout the Midwest which focuses on healthy lifestyles and nutritional foods.

The ChiaSmart salsa line is co-packed by Bodine Etc. Specialty Foods, a leading co-packer in Clearwater, Fla. Greg Watkins, vice president of Bodine Etc. Specialty Foods, said the 12oz PET bottles are seamlessly integrated into existing glass lines with minimal adjustment. Amcor sells the containers to Bodine in 12-count re-shippers which are convenient for filling and a cost saver for retail re-packing.

The 12oz ring neck bottle features Amcor's PowerFlex(TM) technology - a patented panel-less design which takes hot fill (185°F) bottle options to a new level. The structural design eliminates the panels, and unlike competitive containers, provides a large, completely panel-less label panel. Amcor uses design and manufacturing techniques to create a bottle that absorbs vacuum via a patented designed base. A unique diaphragm within the base draws upward as the liquid cools. It has the geometric characteristics to enable the inverted cone-shaped diaphragm to deflect upward as the vacuum is created.

Unlike conventional hot fill PET alternatives, PowerFlex bottles are easier to label since they don't have sidewall vacuum panels. Packers don't have to worry about mislabeling, that is; missing the vertical bars in applying labels. Nor do they have to deal with the ripple effect that occurs when labeling over panels.

The 12oz ring neck container comes in two versions: one has three horizontal ribs for hot fill (185°F) applications and the other has smooth walls for ambient fill or warm fill up to 140°F. The stock bottles are available in a 38mm 400CT finish and also a 38mm tamper-evident finish for beverage applications. They are designed with modular molds which allow customers to customize their package at relatively low cost. PET formulations can include up to 100% food-grade post-consumer resin.

Simply Functional is considering 12oz ring neck PET bottles for a range of new food products that will be introduced over the next year, according to Sedlecky. "We're impressed with the capabilities of Amcor's hot fill technology and we're looking forward to their new offerings," said Bodine Etc.'s Watkins.

About Simply Functional LLC

Simply Functional LLC, based in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., is a start-up company founded to create specialty food products of exceptional quality that offer consumers superior health and nutrition benefits. The products are marketed under the ChiaSmart brand. The company's current product offering is the culmination of over five years of research and development, including scientific validation studies that have received enthusiastic endorsement by some of the most esteemed and influential nutritional scientists, doctors, and research organizations. Simply Functional(TM) Consumer Products are available through the company's SimplyFunctional LLC.com website e-store. In addition, the products are marketed through retail grocery and natural food stores, and are available to fundraising organizations through the company's Fundraisingsf.com website. In addition to food products and food product ingredients, Simply Functional offers a line of nutraceutical products. More information is available at (770) 855-3349 or visit www.chiasmart.com.

About Amcor
Amcor Rigid Plastics is among the world's largest manufacturers of plastic packaging for the beverage, food, personal and home care, and pharmaceuticals industries with 71 facilities in 12 countries. Amcor Limited is a global leader in responsible packaging solutions, employing more than 35,000 people worldwide, operating in 43 countries across 300 sites. Amcor supplies a broad range of plastic (rigid and flexible), fibre, metal and glass packaging solutions to enhance the products consumers use in everyday life. Amcor also provides packaging-related services that help customers succeed through collaboration and innovation driven by art and science. Amcor is headquartered in Melbourne, Australia and is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange. For more information, visit www.amcor.com.

About Bodine Etc. Specialty Foods
Bodine Etc. Specialty Foods LLC, based in Clearwater, Fla., has been manufacturing and marketing award-winning food products since 1996. The company offers a complete service package for development and manufacturing of gourmet food products. Specialized services include recipe development, co-packing, manufacturing, and in-house digital label printing for private labeling of gourmet food products. More information is available by calling (800) 796-9339 or visit www.bodineetcfoods.com.

Company Contact:
Yi Jiang
Amcor Rigid Plastics
(734)428-4013
yi.jiang@amcor.com

Media Contact:
Joe Grande
Group 55 Marketing
(313)875-1155
jgrande@group55.com

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