Attune Foods raises $8.3M to expand probiotics natural food venture

Attune Foods, a San Francisco natural foods company, said it has secured $8.3 million in a second round of funding.

New investors include Fonterra, LSP BioVentures and Nestlé, along with original investors Burrill & Company, Great Spirit Ventures, Prolog Ventures and Unilever Ventures, the company said in a statement.

Attune promotes a style of health food called probiotics (see definition). The company launched its retail operations in January, with a line of chocolate and yogurt & granola daily wellness bars featuring probiotics, active cultures which it says support digestive health and promote a strong immune system. The company is led by former Niman Ranch CEO Rob Hurlbut.

From the statement:

Probiotics have long been featured in functional foods and beverages in Europe and Asia. In the United States, the market for foods and beverages with probiotics is only just beginning to grow. Probiotic foods and beverages are currently estimated to be a $210 million market with an estimate to reach $400 million by 2010.

Attune Wellness Bars are currently available at Whole Foods Markets and online at www.attunefoods.com

(Story originally reported 4/6)

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