22nd August 2012
Press Release – for immediate release
Cec’s Homestyle Products Food Owner Wants Gluten Free Sufferers To Have A Fair Choice!
Cec’s Muesli owner Alister Buchanan has hit out at claims made by Consumer New Zealand CEO Sue Chetwin that his Gluten
Free Muesli is the highest in fat content and is not clearly labelled out of the 75 brands tested by Consumer in a
recent nationwide muesli survey.
Mr Buchanan does not deny that his Gluten Free muesli has a 40.5grams per 100 of total Fat which is clearly marked on
the products nutritional panel, set out by the labelling standards guidelines.
“I take exception at being singled out with my Gluten Free variant on this morning’s TVNZ Breakfast programme as it is
not telling the full story of the product.”
“Gluten sufferers need to have a choice and while being denied most foods because of their condition, the Cec’s Gluten
Free product is one they can comfortably eat. We as manufacturers are limited to what ingredients we can use for these
sufferers,” he said.
“Our Cec’s Gluten Free Muesli is a product that these sufferers can enjoy, it is acceptably low in sugar, whilst we have
honey and a tiny proportion of golden syrup in our product we are well within the recommended guidelines of 15 grams and
under per 100 grams, at 13.3 grams.”
“Ms Chetwin stated that the rice brain oil of 40% content was un-healthy, it is one of the safer oils to be used in the
manufacturing of muesli.”
I welcome a nationwide survey on Muesli because I’m passionate about this category and we have to give New Zealanders
including gluten and celiac sufferers a pleasant choice of a breakfast cereal that they can actually eat and enjoy.”
“By stating that it is unhealthy because of the oil is narrowing the choice from the loyal gluten and celiac sufferers
who enjoy my product.”
Muesli plays and important part in an everyday balanced diet.
Background
Cec’s Muesli is a truly Kiwi family business. The company came from humble beginnings out of the Wairarapa when
Alister’s mother “Cecile Buchanan” started making her muesli for friends and family out of her home kitchen. Today the
business contract manufacturers out of Wellington and proudly follows NZFSA guidelines in the manufacturing process.
Cec’s brands can be found in a number of Foodstuff’s New World and Pak n Save & Progressive owner operated outlets including specialty & gluten free food stores including Moore Wilson, Nosh, Bellatino’s, One Stop Gluten Free Shop & Good Food Trading in Tauranga.
ENDS