KELOWNA, BC, Feb. 13 /CNW/ - Sun-Rype Products Ltd. is partnering with Okanagan University College as a Patron Sponsor of the new Regional Chemical Analysis Centre (RCAC) at its North Kelowna Campus. The facility aims to become a world-renowned centre of excellence in the areas of research in phytonutrients, nutraceuticals and other natural health products. Sun-Rype's commitment includes an initial contribution of $50,000 and a relationship with its Research and Development Department. As a partner, Sun-Rype will have access to this sophisticated food and beverage analytical instrumentation as well as OUC's team of research scientists to support new product development and various Quality Assurance programs.

"Sun-Rype is proud to be part of this exciting initiative at the ground level," says Brad Buchanan, Sun-Rype's Vice President of Sales and Marketing. "Food safety and quality are the cornerstone of our brand's commitment to consumers. Our own state-of-the-art processing facility is already recognized for its high standards of food safety and the new facility at OUC will add yet another dimension of technical expertise and analysis capabilities enhancing our ability to produce superior quality food and juice products."

Sun-Rype Products Ltd., based in Kelowna, BC, is a manufacturer of apple- based food and beverage products that markets a variety of juice and snack food products, including Blue Label Apple Juice and Fruit to Go 100% all natural fruit snacks, under the Sun-Rype brand. Sun-Rype is a publicly traded Canadian company with its common shares listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol SRF.