Natural ingredients supplier RFI Ingredients, Blauvelt, NY, and global natural colors manufacturer Overseal Foods Limited, Overseal, England, have signed an exclusive partnership agreement. Under terms of the agreement, RFI will represent Overseal’s complete product line in North America in the food, functional food and dietary supplement markets.

Overseal, which has a long history in the area of natural colors, has an extensive product line, including natural beta carotene, carmine, curcumin, paprika and turmeric as well as an antho¬cyanin-based range, red beet, caramelized sugar and lutein. In addition, Overseal has a line of fruit topnotes under the Hinotes® brand; Talin®, a flavor enhancement and masking agent and Nutri-seal®, a line of fruit and vegetable-based phytochemical products. Formulas include oil and water soluble options as well as liquid and powder products.

The agreement covers the supply of individual natural colors as well as custom formulations, one of Overseal’s core strengths. The Overseal line complements RFI’s current emphasis on “natural” in the food, functional food and dietary supplement industries. Additionally, the custom formulations area is of particular interest to RFI, which has built strong formulation capabilities in the functional food area with its existing nutraceutical-based product line.

According to Jeff Wuagneux, RFI CEO, “We feel this is a great opportunity for both companies. RFI has the chance to broaden its portfolio with the quality products offered by Overseal, a respected name in the natural colors business. In return RFI can bring our custom formulations expertise and North American market experience to strengthen this partnership.”

Andrew Wainwright, Managing Director of Overseal, added, “Although we have had a presence in the U.S. for a number of years, the opportunity to partner with an established U.S. company is an exciting proposition. The combination of RFI’s market knowledge, Overseal’s technical capabilities and product innovation and the wider product range now available provides the market with a unique offering that will distinguish us from our competitors and provide opportunities previously not possible.”

About Overseal Foods:
Overseal Foods Limited is the market leader in the supply of natural colors to the U.K. food and beverage industry. Overseal’s portfolio also includes Talin®, a multi-functional ingredient that offers flavor enhancement, sweetness and bitterness masking benefits, as well as top-note flavor extracts and a range of dried yeast products.

About RFI Ingredients:
RFI, Blauvelt, NY, is a leading supplier of innovative natural ingredients for the food, functional food and dietary supplement industries. The company specializes in proprietary certified-organic products, fruit and vegetable powders, extracts and concentrates, natural antioxidants and natural colors.