Functional Technologies Appoints Beverage Supply Group to Distribute Hydrogen Sulfide-Reducing Yeast Strains

Functional Technologies (TSX VENTURE:FEB), a world leader in yeast research and
development, today announced that it has entered into a distribution agreement
with Beverage Supply Group ("BSG"), a division of Brewer's Supply Group, which
has agreed to market Functional's Phyterra-branded wine yeast in the US market.
This agreement enables the launch of four strains of Phyterra's kosher organic
hydrogen sulfide (H2S)-reducing wine yeasts, to the Westcoast marketplace for
the 2010 crush. 


"We are pleased that a technically focused wine industry supplier like BSG, will
be distributing our proprietary H2S yeasts," said Howard Louie, Functional's
Chairman and CEO. He added, "BSG's sales efforts will build upon trade show
initiatives and trials we developed over the last eighteen months and represents
the first commercial launch of our yeast technology." 


"Beverage Supply Group prides itself on bringing innovation to the marketplace,
by offering technically superior products to our customers which add value to
their process", said Dr Ian Ward, President of BSG. "We are confident that
Phyterra wine yeasts provides an elegant solution to a long standing issue for
winemakers and represents a significant step forward in fermentation technology.
We are delighted with this partnership." 


The four H2S-preventing yeast strains have been selected to offer winemakers
desired wine characteristics in a range spanning barrel-aged whites and big reds
to sparkling wines, while ensuring winemakers can avoid the problems associated
with H2S in fermentation. Additional yeast strains with the H2S-reducing
attributes will be added over time.


Dr. Linda Bisson, Professor, Viticulture and Enology, Department of Viticulture
and Enology Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of California at
Davis, commented: "It is very rewarding to see this yeast go from our labs,
through development and now reach the California wineries commercially. The
research support we received from the American Vineyard Foundation made this
possible and is a good example of how the wine industry and UC Davis
successfully collaborate." 


To supply BSG with H2S reducing yeast for the 2010 North American crush,
Functional will be utilizing a high quality organic contract producer. 


Hydrogen sulfide, a gas naturally emitted during fermentation, possesses a
distinct rotten-egg smell and is a well-recognized, widespread industry problem
that has long plagued winemaking. Standard approaches to remove or reduce H2S
from tainted wine can be expensive, time-consuming and negatively affect product
quality. Phyterra wine yeast strains prevent the formation H2S during
fermentation, making them a robust, preventative solution that requires no
changes to existing production processes. Importantly, there are no negative
impacts to the sensory attributes desired by the winemaker. 


FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS: This news release contains forward-looking
statements about the Functional Technologies Inc. (the "Company") and its future
plans. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts,
and in this news release include the statements regarding: (1) the agreement
with BSG enabling the launch of four strains of Phyterra's hydrogen
sulfide-reducing wine yeasts to the California marketplace for the 2010 crush;
(2) Phyterra wine yeasts providing a robust, preventative solution to the
hydrogen sulfide problem addressing the requirements of winemakers; and (3) the
launch of additional products. The forward-looking statements in this news
release are subject to various risks, uncertainties and other factors that could
cause the Company's actual results or achievements to differ materially from
those expressed in or implied by forward-looking statements. These risks,
uncertainties and other factors include, without limitation, uncertainty as to
the Company's ability to achieve the goals and satisfy the assumptions of
management; uncertainties as to whether the Company will satisfy the criteria
required to be met in order to access the government funding secured by the
Company; uncertainties as to the availability and cost of financing; uncertainty
as to the demand for the Company's products and the Company's ability to meet
such demand; and general economic factors and other factors that may be beyond
the control of the Company. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs,
opinions and expectations of the Company's management at the time they are made,
and the Company does not assume any obligation to update its forward-looking
statements if those beliefs, opinions or expectations, or other circumstances,
should change. Reference to the section entitled "Risks and Uncertainties"
commencing on page 15 of the Company's management's discussion and analysis
relating to the fiscal quarter ended February 28, 2010, which is available on
SEDAR at www.sedar.com.


About Beverage Supply Group 

With over 75 years collective experience, Beverage Supply Group (BSG) is a
leading supplier of ingredients and process aids to winemakers, committed to
providing the highest quality products at competitive values, to the North
American winemaking Industry. BSG, which opened in Napa 2007, is the wine
division of Brewers Supply Group, the largest and most respected supplier of
ingredients to the US brewing industry. For more information about BSG to
www.bsgwine.com/.


About Functional Technologies Corp. 

Functional Technologies develops and commercializes proprietary technologies
that enhance the natural properties of yeast and algae - nature's microscopic
workhorses. Our scientists apply novel techniques to these micro-celled
organisms to resolve significant health and quality problems, and generate new
opportunities in the global food, beverage and healthcare industries. Our first
commercial products are our Phyterra(TM) line of proprietary yeast strains,
designed to reduce the formation of foul-smelling hydrogen sulphide and the
carcinogen urethane in wines and other fermented products. With a head office in
Vancouver, Functional Technologies has research and development facilities in
Prince Edward Island and a U.S. sales office in Napa Valley, California. For
more information go to www.functionaltechcorp.com.
Basicgov Systems Inc. (TSXV:BSG)
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