SunOpta to Resume Production at Salinas, California Strawberry Processing Facility

December 19, 2006
SunOpta to Resume Production at Salinas, California Strawberry Processing Facility

TORONTO--Dec. 19, 2006--SunOpta Inc. (SunOpta or the Company) (NASDAQ:STKL) (TSX:SOY) today provided an update on activities at Cleugh's Frozen Foods ("Cleugh's") related to the recent recall of frozen strawberry products produced for Jamba Juice. The Company has completed extensive environmental testing and external reviews at its two berry processing facilities and has received confirmation that the facilities have tested negative for the presence of listeria.

The Salinas, California processing facility has undergone extensive testing and external review and environmental tests have been returned negative for the potential presence of listeria. In addition, further testing of recovered product that initially tested positive for listeria monocytogenes has produced negative results. As a result, the Salinas facility has been scheduled for a return to production during the week of December 18th.

The Buena Park, California processing facility has continued to process product on a regular basis and has also undergone extensive environmental testing and external review as a precautionary measure. All environmental tests to date have been returned negative for the potential presence of listeria and the operation continues to provide product to a wide range of customers including Jamba Juice.

Cleugh's has recovered 653 of the 755 cases of product that were affected by the recall. In addition, Jamba Juice has recovered a further amount from their distribution and store system. To date, the Company has not received confirmation of any illnesses related to unrecovered product that may have been consumed. Cleugh's continues to work co-operatively with Jamba Juice to ensure all matters related to the recall are dealt with in an appropriate and expedient manner and to ensure consistent supply of quality frozen strawberry products.

About SunOpta Inc.

SunOpta Inc. is an operator of high-growth ethical businesses, focusing on integrated business models in the natural and organic food 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 Group, a producer, distributor, and recycler of environmentally friendly industrial materials; and the SunOpta BioProcess Group 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 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; 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.

CONTACT: SunOpta Inc.
Jeremy N. Kendall, Chairman & CEO
Steve Bromley, President & COO
John Dietrich, Vice President & CFO
Susan Wiekenkamp, Information Officer
Tel: 905-455-2528, ext 103
susan.wiekenkamp@sunopta.com
Website: www.sunopta.com
OR
Investment Community Inquiries:
Lytham Partners, LLC
Joe Diaz, Robert Blum or Joe Dorame
Tel: 602-889-9700
diaz@lythampartners.com

SOURCE: SunOpta Inc.