EDEN PRAIRIE, MINN. — Grain Millers, Inc., which offers a wide array of ingredients in the grain, dairy, specialty and feed categories, is stepping up its presence in the flax business with the launch of a new product, the opening of a new production site and a partnership with flax industry veterans Glenn and Linda Pizzey.

After more than a year in development, Grain Millers is launching SafeFlax flaxseed products. The new items undergo a proprietary heat-stabilization and pasteurization treatment developed by Grain Millers, the company said. The SafeFlax process was created specifically to mitigate the risk of contamination while minimizing stress on the flax product, a seed notoriously difficult to process.

“Grain Millers’ advanced understanding of flax processing was one of the things that interested us most in this partnership,” said Linda Pizzey, who along with Glenn Pizzey has joined Grain Millers to help with all aspects of Grain Millers’ existing flax business, including processing, product development and technical services. “The SafeFlax process allows us to optimize the processing parameters for different products. Without this feature, you might eliminate pathogens, but you won’t adequately maintain the stability of the natural lipids and other nutritional and functional components in flax.”

The SafeFlax line includes SafeBake and SafeBev, solutions that have been designed for the baking, cereal, and beverage markets. SafeFlax products also will be used in a variety of mixes that Grain Millers currently sells.

Grain Millers will manufacture SafeFlax in its Marion, Ind., facility and at a new site in Angusville, Man. The locations will join the existing Grain Millers flax facility in Newton, Wis., to create one of the largest footprints of any food flax processor in the world, the company said.

“Having three facilities capable of making whole and milled flaxseed products will be a critical benefit to our customers,” said Steve Eilertson, president of Grain Millers. “It not only ensures our customers will benefit from the most efficient distribution, but also guarantees they will never face the production disruptions that have become commonplace in the flax industry.”

The sites are expected to be fully operational by May.