Ellen White was the woman whose inspirational message of good health led to the founding of the Sanitarium Health Food Company in 1898 in Australia, then two years later, in New Zealand.

Inspired by Ellen White, American Edward Halsey, a Seventh-day Adventist and baker trained at the Battle Creek Sanitarium, came to New Zealand in December 1900 to prepare healthy food for a small health home. He began making batches of Granola (which was New Zealand's first breakfast cereal), Caramel Cereals (a coffee substitute) and wholemeal bread in a humble wooden shed in the Christchurch suburb of Papanui. These products became known as Sanitarium Health Foods. Demand began to grow outside the health home as patients wished to continue eating these products even when they were well.

Since Edward Halsey began the business, the Sanitarium Health Food Company has remained at the forefront of healthy eating. We advocated vegetarian eating as a healthy diet option long before it was trendy to do so and in 1907 we were the first to introduce the concept of the health food shop to New Zealanders.

The Sanitarium Nutrition Service (SNS) started over 21 years ago. Our team of qualified nutritionists are passionate about helping people to enjoy simple, healthy living. And, we are all lovers of good food. We understand how important it is to enjoy delicious food as well as care for your health and wellbeing through healthy food choices.

SNS is involved in developing nutrition leaflets and recipes. We currently run a healthy lifestyle program online to inspire participants to better living called Healthy Steps. You can subscribe to our quarterly nutrition magazine called Good Food News or Recipe of the Week at www.sanitarium.co.nz. If you need credible and practical advice about health and nutrition or food and recipes, contact us at the Sanitarium Nutrition Service on 0800 100 257 or email us on nutrition@sanitarium.co.nz; we have lots of handy tips to share. We look forward to hearing from you.