Exhibit 99.1
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SunOpta Announces Director Resignation
Toronto, Ontario, December 20, 2007 - SunOpta Inc. (Nasdaq:STKL) (TSX:SOY) today announced that Stephen Bronfman, Chairman and President of Claridge Inc., a member of the Company's Board of Directors, submitted his resignation effective today. Mr. Bronfman's resignation was expected given the recent liquidation of his holdings in the Company.
Jeremy Kendall, Chairman of SunOpta commented, "On behalf of the Board, the management and employees of the Company, we want to thank Stephen for his contribution over the years in the development of SunOpta and wish him the very best in his future endeavours."
About SunOpta Inc
SunOpta Inc. is an operator of high-growth ethical businesses, focusing on integrated business models in the natural and organic food, supplements and health and beauty markets. The Company has three business units: the SunOpta Food Group, which specializes in sourcing, processing and distribution of natural and organic food products integrated from seed through packaged products; the Opta Minerals Inc. (TSX:OPM) (66.3% owned by SunOpta), a producer, distributor, and recycler of environmentally friendly industrial materials; and the SunOpta BioProcess Inc. which engineers and markets proprietary steam explosion technology systems for the pulp, bio-fuel and food processing industries. Each of these business units has proprietary products and services that give it a solid competitive advantage in its sector.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements included in this press release may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to references to the expected terms of the proposed private placement and business strategies, competitive strengths, goals, capital expenditure plans, business and operational growth plans and references to the future growth of the business. These forward looking statements are based on certain assumptions and analyses made by the Company in light of its experience and its interpretation of current conditions, historical trends and expected future developments as well as other factors that the Company believes are appropriate in the circumstance. However, whether actual results and developments will agree with expectations and predications of the Company is subject to many risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to; the company's ability to negotiate successfully the specific terms of the private placement with investors, general economic, business or market risk conditions; competitive actions by other companies; changes in laws or regulations or policies of local governments, provinces and states as well as the governments of United States and Canada, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. Consequently all forward-looking statements made herein are qualified by these cautionary statements and there can be no assurance that the actual results or developments anticipated by the Company will be realized.
| For further information, please contact: | |
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| SunOpta Inc. | Investment Community Inquiries: |
| Jeremy N. Kendall, Chairman | Lytham Partners, LLC |
| Steve Bromley, President & CEO | Joe Diaz |
| Joseph Riz, Executive Vice President | Robert Blum |
| John Dietrich, Vice President & CFO | Joe Dorame |
| Susan Wiekenkamp, Information Officer | |
| Tel: 905-455-2528, ext 103 | Tel: 602-889-9700 |
| susan.wiekenkamp@sunopta.com | diaz@lythampartners.com |
| Website: www.sunopta.com | |
