CHELMSFORD, MASS. — SunOpta Ingredients Group will market and sell Barley Balance beta-glucan concentrate through a partnership agreement with PolyCell Technologies, Crookston, Minn. Barley Balance contains a minimum of 25% beta-glucan and more than 35% total dietary fiber.

Barley Balance, a soluble fiber, may be incorporated into a variety of foods, including bread, muffins, tortillas, crackers, cereal, nutrition bars and beverages. Products containing Barley Balance may qualify for a Food and Drug Administration health claim about beta-glucan reducing the risk of coronary heart disease.

A proprietary dry milling and separation process used in the manufacture of Barley Balance is solvent-free, making it ideal for clean label products, according to SunOpta Ingredients Group.

"The addition of barley beta-glucan soluble fiber is consistent with our objective of expanding our product portfolio of fiber products," said Doug Shreves, president of SunOpta Ingredients Group, Chelmsford.

Tom Jorgens, president of PolyCell Technologies, said, "Our partnership with the SunOpta Ingredients Group brings a new level of applications knowledge, sales experience and synergies that will create many opportunities for Barley Balance in functional foods."