RFI Ops Certified Organic, Acquires Extract Biz

BLAUVELT, N.Y.—RFI Ingredients received organic certification from Midwest Organic Services Association (MOSA) for its new manufacturing facility located at its corporate headquarters in Blauvelt, N.Y. Vertically-integrated, RFI now controls its organic manufacturing chain from raw material cultivation and harvesting to extraction, processing, blending and packaging. Jeff Wuagneux, president and CEO, said: “Combining our certified organic ISO-9001 manufacturing and blending facilities with our comprehensive Sourcestainable® line of ingredients will help our customers capitalize on the phenomenal growth in this market.”
In addition, RFI acquired its long-term partner, Wilsey and Sons, Loveland, Colo., a manufacturer of unique, high-quality flavor and botanical extracts and concentrates. The company uses a proprietary extraction technology—Dynamic Liquid/Solid Extraction™ (DL/SE™), originally developed by Hauser Chemical Research—to produce highly concentrated flavors, antioxidants and botanical extracts. The extraction process is designed to use minimal solvent, eliminating the need for further thermal concentration, which normally drives off the essential top notes or degrades important phytochemicals. This gentle process results in full-flavored, fresh and distinctive liquid extracts used in food and beverage applications as well as high marker content botanical extracts for nutraceutical applications. In addition to its current line of products, the new facility, renamed RFI Extracts, can produce custom extracts made from a variety of dried raw materials using a number of food-grade solvent systems. The facility also has fermentation capabilities and future plans include expanding its drying, milling and blending capabilities as well as extract purification technologies. The new facility is Kosher- and Halal-approved as well as certified organic.

“RFI and Wilsey and Sons have been working together now for more than five years producing tea and flavor extracts for the food industry,” Wuagneux said. “Combining our individual expertise into one company will prove synergistic and more cost-effective for our customers.”