Canadian Nestle Smarties, Aero, Kit Kat, Coffee Crisp and Mirage Safe Again!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[url="http://library.northernlight.com/FC20010514060000213.html?cb=0&dx=1006&sc=0#doc"]http://library.northernlight.com/FC20010514060000213.html?cb=0&dx=1006&sc=0#doc[/url]
Nestl De Smarties, Aero, Kit Kat, Coffee Crisp And Mirage Chocolates Will Continue To Be Manufactured In Peanut/Nut-Free Environment -- Company responds to consumer requests - Nestl De remains only national confectionery company offering a variety of popular chocolate brands produced in a peanut/nut-free environment - Company to pursue other approaches to satisfy demand for peanut/nut chocolate products
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Story Filed: Monday, May 14, 2001 11:30 AM EST

TORONTO, May 14, 2001 (Canada NewsWire via COMTEX) -- Nestl De Canada is pleased to announce that it will continue to manufacture Nestl De Smarties, Aero, Kit Kat, Coffee Crisp and Mirage in a peanut/nut-free environment. This reverses a previously announced plan to cease production of these products in a peanut/nut-free environment as of January of next year.

"We have been truly overwhelmed by the emotional chord that our original decision struck with consumers," said Graham Lute, Senior Vice-President, Nestl De Canada. "Since our announcement three weeks ago, we have received several thousand letters, phone calls and email messages from Canadians, with and without peanut/nut allergies, asking us to reconsider our position. We've read every email and letter. We've listened to consumers and moved quickly to reverse our original decision. We will pursue other options to satisfy the growing segment of consumers who want peanut/nut chocolate products."

"We realize that consumers need choice and we have tried to be both responsive and responsible in meeting this need," Lute added. "With this decision, we remain the only national confectionery company to provide a variety of popular chocolate products manufactured in a peanut/nut-free environment."

"Peanut and nut allergies are a growing concern," said Dr. Susan Wasserman, Allergist, Clinical Immunologist, McMaster University, The Firestone Chest and Allergy Unit at St. Joseph's Hospital, Hamilton. "People with this type of condition face limited choices. So do teachers, parents and friends living or working with allergic individuals. They have to be careful too. I commend Nestl De's efforts to provide allergic adults and children with viable options."

The company's decision is effective immediately. However, because Nestl De's original intent was to allow peanut/nuts into its factory by January of next year, it had to begin changing its packaging much sooner, to give consumers advance notice. As a result, an allergy alert will temporarily appear on a limited number of product packages now in stores. The company is in the process of producing new packaging.

"We want to reassure Canadians that these products were manufactured in a peanut/nut-free environment and do not contain peanuts or nuts," said Lute. "We invite consumers to visit our web site at [url="http://www.nestle.ca"]www.nestle.ca[/url] or call us at 1-800-387-4636, if they have any concerns or questions."

To ensure that Nestl De Smarties, Aero, Kit Kat, Coffee Crisp and Mirage are manufactured in an environment free of peanuts and nuts, Nestl De Canada follows rigorous quality standards.

Nestl De Canada Inc. is known for brands such as KitKat, Stouffer's, Nescaf De, Legend and Parlour ice cream, Carnation and Friskies. The company employs over 4,000 across Canada and has sales in excess of $1.6 billion annually; making it one of the largest value-added food manufacturing companies in Canada.