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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
AUGUST 15, 2006
NIELSEN-MASSEY(r) BECOMES FIRST MAJOR INGREDIENT SUPPLIER IN THE UNITED
STATES TO RECEIVE INDEPENDENT GLUTEN-FREE CERTIFICATION
WAUKEGAN, IL (August 15, 2006), Nielsen-Massey(r), one of the world's leading
purveyors of premium pure vanilla products and other fine extracts since
1907, is the first extract company and ingredient supplier in the United States to
be certified by the Gluten-Free Certification Organization (GFCO). Soon the
GFCO's circle GF certification mark will be featured on Nielsen-Massey
packaging. The new mark will give all Nielsen-Massey customers (retail consumers,
product manufacturers, bakers, restaurateurs, and others) the assurance that
Nielsen-Massey's fine vanillas and extracts are gluten-free.
"For many years now we have been responding to customer inquiries about
whether our products are gluten-free," said Matt Nielsen, President of
Nielsen-Massey(r). "Now, we are proud to be able to provide them with the confidence and
safety assurance this new certification from GFCO provides. As a family-owned
business, we have always placed our customers first, and this is one additional
way to demonstrate our commitment to them."
"Nielsen-Massey has shown significant leadership by being the first major
ingredient company to seek GFCO certification," added Cynthia Kupper, Executive
Director of the Gluten Intolerance Group, the 501 (c)(3) organization that
administers the GFCO program. "Consumers with gluten-sensitivity need to be sure
that all ingredients in a product are gluten-free."
The GFCO is the first program of its kind in the world to supervise the
manufacturing and testing protocol of companies that market gluten-free (GF) foods,
for the purpose of offering consumers a third-party assurance of safety. This
new independent food processing inspection program will verify that food
products meet the highest standards for GF ingredients and are produced in a safe
environment.
Food manufacturers have been quick to recognize the growing demand for GF
foods. According to SPINS data, sales of GF products in mainstream grocery stores
grew 18% from June 2004 to June 2005 and are likely to grow by over 10% each
year for the foreseeable future. Additionally, the 2,800-plus GF products
available in stores today produce annual sales topping $700 million. Although many
more GF products have become available in the past few years, adhering to a
GF diet remains difficult and frustrating, since gluten is so prevalent in
processed foods. A great deal of time is required to read food labels, contact
food manufacturers and search GF product lists. Consumers want a quick means to
determine if a product is safe, and the GFCO provides exactly that.
About GFCO
The Gluten-Free Certification Organization (GFCO) is a program of the Gluten
Intolerance Group(r), and is governed by an independent volunteer board that
includes physicians, food scientists and consumers.
Key elements of the GFCO process include:
·Ingredients review, down to the original supplier
·Onsite inspections by experienced, trained Field Inspection Agents
·Product and ingredient testing using scientifically-proven tests
·GFCO certification mark located on product packages for easy identification.
For more information and to see the products certified visit:
http://www.gfco.org.
About Nielsen-Massey
Worldwide, Nielsen-Massey meets the demand for its pure vanilla products. Its
corporate headquarters is located in Waukegan, Illinois, USA with ISO
certified production facilities in both Waukegan and at Nielsen-Massey Vanillas
International, LLC. in Leeuwarden, Netherlands. Additionally, Nielsen-Massey is
audited annually by the American Institute of Baking, from whom it has received
Superior ratings each year since 1990. All Nielsen-Massey's vanilla products
are Kosher certified and they have been a certified organic producer since 1998.
The Waukegan facility supplies vanilla products to North America, South
America, Central America, and the Pacific Rim. And since 1995, the European
facility has provided a cost-effective means of pure vanilla supply to the European,
African and Middle Eastern markets. To help meet this need, Nielsen-Massey has
18 global representatives in many countries to provide ongoing support and
product information to customers.
As a family owned and managed business, Nielsen-Massey is committed to and
truly cares about its customers. With this commitment comes a pledge to continue
producing the world's finest Pure Vanillas batch after batch - a promise that
has been kept for nearly a century.
For more information visit: www.nielsenmassey.com.
Cynthia Kupper, RD, CD
Executive Director
Gluten Intolerance Group of NA
15110 10th Ave SW, Ste A
Seattle WA 98166-1820
206-246-6652; F: 206-246-6531
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