October 15, 2004

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Nutiva ® John W. Roulac President, Founder 800-993-4367 ext 701 www.nutiva.com

 

A Bright Future for Nutiva ® and the Hemp Food Industry
Nutiva® Market Share Up 70 Percent in Latest Year-to-Year Survey

 

October 15, 2004 - Sebastopol, California — The Nutiva company and the entire hemp food industry breathed a collective sigh of relief last week when the Bush Administration chose not to appeal the Ninth Circuit court’s unanimous decision that hemp foods are perfectly legal for sale and consumption in the United States. The government had been given a September 28 deadline if it was to appeal the ruling to the Supreme Court.

Nutiva and the Hemp Industries Association have won their three-year David-and-Goliath battle, defeating the Drug Enforcement Administration’s attempt to ban all hemp seeds, foods, and oil and the agency’s claim that these foods should be treated as a drug. The Ninth Circuit ruled that the DEA has no jurisdiction over food products.

"This is a sweet victory, and Nutiva’s Organic Hemp Protein Powder, bars, seeds, and oil will now be sold by retailers without any legal concerns," commented founder and CEO John W. Roulac.

Nutiva’s entire line of organic hemp foods and coconut oil will be on display at the upcoming Natural Products Expo (Booth 2642) in Washington, D.C., October 14-17.

The market research firm SPINS recently released data showing that Nutiva had captured 17 percent of total hemp food sales as of August 4, up from 10 percent a year ago. Nutiva is the number-two-selling hemp food brand, after French Meadow Bakery’s hemp bread. A contributing factor in the sales surge is Nutiva’s Organic Hemp Protein Powder, selected last year as the "Best New Product" at the 2003 Expo East show.

Nutiva founder John W Roulac began promoting the health and ecological benefits of hemp more than a decade ago, and has written three leading books on the subject. "In 1998," he says, "I concluded that the only way American farmers can grow hemp will be to have the market demand for hemp products skyrocket. With our legal victory behind us, the organic hemp food industry is poised for dramatic growth, and the possibility of a nutritious new income crop for farmers is one step closer to reality."

Hemp is rich in Omega-3, GLA, and protein, and has superior nutritional and flavor qualities compared to soy and flax. If industry projections prove correct, hemp will gain increasing market shares of protein powders, nutritional oils, salad dressings, vegan ice creams, snack bars, cookies, breads, cereals, and other new product entries.

"I want to thank each and every customer and retailer for their belief in hemp foods and Nutiva and their support during our three-year battle with the DEA," Roulac said, adding, "and also, special thanks to David Bronner of the Dr. Bronner’s company and the entire legal team for their dedicated focus and determination to win this historic legal case."

Nutiva Nourishes People and Planet

Nutiva is dedicated to a healthy and sustainable world for all, demonstrating its mission to nourish people and planet by using the healthiest organic ingredients available, enriching the soil, and supporting worthy causes by donating 1 percent of sales to groups that promote sustainable agriculture. Founded in 1999, Nutiva offers nutritious organic hemp and flax food bars, hemp protein powder, hemp oil, shelled hempseed, and extra-virgin organic coconut oil nationwide through more than 2,500 natural food retailers, including Whole Foods Markets and Wild Oats. Call us: (800) 993-4367 • Email us: inquiries[at]nutiva.com • Visit us: www.nutiva.com

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