Exhibit 99

   Opta Minerals Inc. Files Preliminary Prospectus for Initial Public Offering
                           of Common Shares in Canada

WATERDOWN and TORONTO, ONTARIO, October 21, 2004 - Opta Minerals Inc. has filed
a preliminary prospectus with the securities regulatory authorities in each of
the provinces of Canada, in connection with an initial public offering of its
common shares. Opta Minerals Inc. is currently a wholly-owned subsidiary of
SunOpta Inc., a public company listed on both the Toronto Stock Exchange and the
Nasdaq Small Cap Market. Prior to completion of the proposed initial public
offering, SunOpta intends to complete an internal reorganization of its
corporate and capital structure pursuant to which all of its interest in the
assets and subsidiaries comprising its Opta Minerals Group will be transferred
to Opta Minerals Inc.

The offering will be led by Loewen, Ondaatje, McCutcheon Limited and the
underwriting syndicate will include First Associates Investments Inc. and
Canaccord Capital Corporation.

The common shares being offered have not been, nor will they be, registered
under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and such common
shares may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for the
account or benefit of, U.S. persons absent registration or an applicable
exemption from U.S. registration requirements. This press release does not
constitute an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, common
shares of Opta Minerals Inc. in the United States. To view a copy of the
preliminary prospectus filed in connection with the Offering, please go to
http://www.sedar.com/.

About Opta Minerals:

Opta Minerals is a vertically integrated producer, manufacturer, distributor and
recycler of silica-free loose abrasives, industrial minerals, specialty sands
and related products for use primarily in the foundry, steel, marine/bridge
cleaning and municipal water filtration industries. With its head office in
Waterdown, Ontario, Opta Minerals also has production and distribution
facilities in Ontario, Quebec, Louisiana, South Carolina, Virginia, Maryland and
New York and one of the broadest product lines in the industry.

About SunOpta:

SunOpta Inc. is an owner/operator of high-growth ethical businesses, focusing on
integrated business models in the natural and organic food markets. For the last
six consecutive years, SunOpta was included in Profit magazine's 'Profit 100'
list of the 100 fastest growing companies in Canada. SunOpta currently 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 StakeTech Steam Explosion Group that
engineers and markets clean pulping systems using patented steam explosion
technology; and the Opta Minerals Group. Each of these business units has
proprietary products and services that give it a solid competitive advantage in
its sector.

For further information please contact:

David Kruse
President and Chief Executive Officer of Opta Minerals Inc.
(905) 689-6661

or

Jeremy Kendall
Chairman of SunOpta Inc.
(905) 455-1990