Smart Balance acquires Glutino Food Group

PARAMUS, N.J. — Smart Balance announced its acquisition of a gluten-free food maker.

The company said its acquisiton of Glutino Food Group, valued at $66.3 million, will expand Smart Balance's portfolio of gluten-free product offerings. Glutino sells a wide range of premium-priced, gluten-free foods — including both 
shelf‐stable 
and 
frozen 
gluten‐free snack 
foods, 
frozen
 baked
 goods, 
frozen 
entrees 
and 
baking 
mixes throughout 
North 
America
 — under the Glutino and Gluten Free Pantry brands.

"The
 gluten‐free 
segment
 is 
complementary 
with
 our 
corporate 
vision 
of 
creating 
a 
health-
and-
wellness 
innovation 
platform 
that 
builds 
brands
 targeted 
at 
highly 
motivated 
consumer 
need 
states," Smart Balance chairman and CEO Stephen Hughes said. "Just 
as
 our Smart 
Balance, 
Earth 
Balance and 
Bestlife brands address the 
health-
and-
wellness 
needs 
of 
consumers, Glutino
 addresses
 a
 specific 
dietary 
need
 by 
eliminating 
gluten
 in 
foods
 that 
consumers 
have
 to 
avoid 
for 
health
 reasons.

"