First Canadian Producer of Pure Oats to Receive Gluten-Free Certification

We were the first company in North America to produce gluten-free oats for the commercial market and we have been selling our products, under the Lara's brand name, in both Canada and the United States.

22/09/08 The Gluten-Free Certification Organization (GFCO) announced that it has certified Lara's rolled oats, Lara's whole-grain oat flour and Lara's oat groats as gluten-free.

"We were the first company in North America to produce gluten-free oats for the commercial market and we have been selling our products, under the Lara's brand name, in both Canada and the United States since January 2006," said Tracy B. Perry, Co-President of Cream Hill Estates. "The only difference now is that we have successfully completed the GFCO certification process and in the US we can officially state that our products are certified gluten-free. We are proud to join the list of companies that have GFCO certification and are thrilled to be able to add the GFCO logo to our product label. We believe this certification will increase the level of confidence in our pure oats and continue to assure our customers that indeed, we are their trusted source of pure oats".

Perry and his business partner, Beth Armour, a professional dietitian, believe that gluten-free oats are entering into a period of growth as manufacturers and bakeries are now beginning to use them in their products either because of a company recognition of the quality of life and health benefits oats can add to the gluten-free diet or because of consumer demand as more and more people have found that they tolerate gluten-free oats. Cream Hill has also seen an increased interest among manufacturers using GFCO ingredients in their products.