FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                               19 JULY 2000

Nutrition Australia has recognised The Sanitarium Health Food Company's outstanding contribution to nutrition education by awarding the central coast based company the first ever Nutrition Australia Award for Excellence.

The Award was presented to Sanitarium by Nutrition Australia's National Executive Officer, Merrilynne Hayes at a brief ceremony held in the Sanitarium offices on Monday 19th June.

Ms Hayes was welcomed by Managing Director, David Woolley. "We are delighted that our work in nutrition education has been recognised by Nutrition Australia and that they have chosen to honour us in this way," he said.

"The Nutrition Australia Award for Excellence has been created to recognise outstanding contributions to Nutrition Australia and to the pursuit of its goals," said Ms Hayes.

"Sanitarium have supported Nutrition Australia as a corporate member since the foundation began. Their ongoing commitment and contribution has enabled us to provide education on important issues", she added.

"We are thrilled to award the inaugural 'Nutrition Australia Award 2000' to the Sanitarium Health Food Company," she said. "Given the strength of their commitment to health and wellbeing, we believe there could not be a more deserving company to receive this award."

Ms Hayes singled out the annual seminar series sponsored by Sanitarium as an excellent example of the work corporate members can do to promote healthy nutrition.

"This year's series, currently taking place around the country, is called "Wholegrains - A Whole New Story". These seminars do a great job of translating new scientific understanding into practical information for both the public and health professionals," she explained.

In accepting the Award on behalf of the company, Cathy McDonald, the manager of Sanitarium's Nutrition Education Service, acknowledged the common aim of Sanitarium and Nutrition Australia.

"Sanitarium is proud to support the work of Nutrition Australia'" she said. "Our common aim is to provide credible, accurate and relevant information to all Australians to help them make healthy food choices."

Nutrition Australia, now in its18th year, is Australia's peak community nutrition education body. The organisation's goal is to improve the health of Australians through better nutrition.

While Nutrition Australia has recognised outstanding commitment and service to the organisation by individuals in the past, this is the first time that the honour has been extended to a corporate member.

"Corporate members enable us to provide a variety of information, education and other services to achieve our goals. This award will be considered only for truly outstanding support and may not be made every year," said Ms Hayes.

The Sanitarium Health Food Company has been making healthy food in Australia for over 100 years.

-ENDS-

Issued on behalf of Nutrition Australia by The Rowland Company.