Fortitech Inc. increased its focus on the emerging functional food and beverage market in Africa. The company has appointed AB Mauri, a new operating division of Associated British Foods plc (ABF), as distributor to a number of African countries. The arrangement is an ideal fit for Fortitech, due to AB Mauri's impressive geographic coverage and deep knowledge-base of the African market.

As the second-largest and second-most populous continent on the planet, Fortitech will be focusing on increasing fortification awareness and identifying new business potential throughout this dynamic region. Supporting the perceived potential for considerable growth in fortified products, the Nutrition Business Journal reports the nutrition industry overall in Africa totaled roughly USD $1.2 billion in 2006 – a 16% increase from 2005. According to the same market research, Africa had the second-fastest growing market for nutritional products in 2006, second only to Russia.

Additionally, Fortitech will be co-exhibiting with AB Mauri at the all-new Food ingredients (Fi) Africa trade show in January 2008. The first and only event of its kind in the entire continent, Fi Africa will bring together food ingredient manufacturers, suppliers and developers from all reaches of the world.

Fortitech Inc. Schenectady, N.Y.