SunOpta Announces Decision by Opta Minerals Inc. to Suspend Strategic Review

SunOpta Inc.

today announced that the Board of Directors of Opta Minerals Inc., has decided to suspend the strategic review process for Opta Minerals that was previously announced on September 7, 2011. SunOpta currently owns approximately 66.4% of Opta Minerals and approximately 64% on a fully-diluted basis. The decision to suspend the strategic review process was based, in part, on an assessment of current global market conditions which are currently challenging, combined with a number of actionable near-term growth opportunities within the Company. As a result, the Board of Opta Minerals has concluded that the interests of the shareholders of Opta Minerals are best served by completing and integrating these expansion activities and suspending the strategic review process until further notice.