Prairie Malt Nets Organic Certification

BIGGAR- Dec 7/05 - SNS -- Saskatchewan's Prairie Malt is continuing to expand the range of malt products and services available to its valued customers around the world through an organic designation.

The consumer demand for organic products continues to increase and Prairie Malt is responding to this demand with an organic certification solution for its current and potential new customers.

Company officials received PML's organic certification in early November 2005 for the processing of barley and wheat.

PML and Cargill's Specialty Malt Group will work together in providing such products to existing and potential customers.

"Prairie Malt Limited is committed to making the ongoing adjustments necessary to ensure farmers have alternative value-added markets for their crops and that our brewing customers' interests and requirements for new products are fully satisfied," said Jack Foster, Director of Procurement for Prairie Malt.

PML has been certified to the Organic Crop Improvement Association (OCIA) International's Program and to the U.S. National Organic Program (NOP).

OCIA International is one of the most recognized and trusted leaders in the organic industry - it is a non-profit organization. OCIA International is accredited by the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM).

OCIA certification provides Prairie Malt with access to various international markets, including South America and Asia. OCIA is accredited to the U.S. National Organic Program.

Prairie Malt will be able to immediately sell organic malt into the U.S. with its recent U.S. NOP certification.

"Certification through OCIA creates an avenue to trade products into countries around the world that do not currently have established organic production programs," said Foster. "Our ability to fully satisfy stringent standards is opening the doors for our clients and customers internationally."

PML also recently received certification to its Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) Program. HACCP is an internally recognized, proactive approach to food safety; it identifies and manages the risks associated with the production and use of food ingredients. PML's HACCP certification further enhances this current organic certification.