Holista Signs Agreement With Costanzo's To Launch World's Lowest Glycaemic Index (GI) Clean Label White Bread For North America And Mexico

• Holista signs three-year exclusive deal to supply GI LiteTM for Costanzo’s to produce the world’s lowest GI clean label (all-natural) white bread for US, Canada and Mexican markets
• Costanzo’s to purchase 165 tons worth ~US$1.9m of GI LiteTM in the first year and 220 tons for ~US$2.5m for each of next two years
• Costanzo’s manufactures and supplies both fresh and frozen bakery products via a network of food distributors and brokers throughout the continental U.S. and eastern Canada.
• Holista and Costanzo worked together to co-develop this healthier bread which has been validated by testing at the University of Sydney

Holista Colltech Limited and its U.S. subsidiary, Holista Foods Inc., have entered into an agreement with leading U.S. breadmaker, Costanzo’s Bakery, Inc. (“Costanzo’s”), to manufacture the world’s lowest Glycaemic Index (GI) clean label white bread using only all-natural ingredients.

Under the exclusive three-year Licence and Commercialisation agreement, Costanzo’s will purchase Holista’s GI LiteTM Bread Premix which be used to produce a range of healthier breads for the USA, Canada and Mexico.

Costanzo’s, a third-generation Italian baker based in New York which was founded 87 years ago, supplies bread products across the USA and Canada to supermarkets and other retail outlets.

The healthier bread was jointly developed by Holista and Constanzo’s. The University of Sydney tested and validated this bread in July 2020 to have a GI reading of 46, which compares with GI readings of over 70 for most white breads.

Holista believes this is the world’s lowest GI reading for clean-label (free of chemicals) white breads worldwide. This latest bread formula is significantly lower than the reading of 53 validated by the University of Sydney in 2016.

GI LiteTM is a patented formula made from a blend of okra, barley, lentils and fenugreek. When mixed with white flour, it lowers the GI reading of the final product without compromising taste, mouth-feel or food production methods.

Holista Foods won the Award of Excellence under “Low Glycaemic Pasta” category for its spaghetti and linguine in the 2019 U.S.A. Taste Championships. Holista has also developed low-GI versions of flat-breads such as chappatis and tortillas.

Under the agreement, Holista will supply 165 tons of worth valued at US$1.9 million in the first year of the contract with Constanzo’s. Over the next two years, shipment will increase to 220 tons (valued at US$2.2 million) annually.

“There is a large and untapped market for clean-label, all-natural, low-GI white bread and we are pleased to be able to offer our customers such a unique and healthy product,” said Costanzo’s CEO, Angelo Costanzo III.

“We are confident about the success of the GI LiteTM breads due to its superior taste and mouthfeel, which cannot be matched by other low GI breads in the market as they use chemicals and other artificial ingredients.”

GI measures food products, ranking them between 0-100 according to the impact on blood sugar levels. The lower the GI, the more time it takes for glucose to be digested and absorbed into the bloodstream. Higher GI causes a spike in blood sugar levels, contributing to diabetes.

Dr Rajen Manicka, CEO of Holista, which is listed on the Australia Securities Exchange (“ASX”) commented:

“This is a breakthrough agreement for the North American market and we expect this to spur interest in other markets. We are excited to be bringing a healthier and bettertasting white bread product to the world, and we are currently pursuing opportunities in other countries.”

GI LiteTM is made from a blend of okra, barley, lentils and fenugreek. It does not affect taste, mouthfeel or food production methods. When mixed with white flour, it lowers the GI reading of the final product without compromising taste or texture.

“Providing the world’s lowest low GI healthy clean label white bread has been our goal and vision,” said Nadja Piatka, CEO of Holista Foods which is based in Buffalo, New York. “Costanzo’s is a perfect partner to bring this important mission to fruition.”