Profits for purpose

Sanitarium Health Food Company commenced as New Zealand’s first health food company in January 1901. It was established as part of the Seventh-day Adventist Church (SDA) in New Zealand to promote and produce health foods based on its belief that whole food plant-based diets support optimal health. Worldwide, the Seventh-day Adventist Church operates several health food industries and primary and tertiary healthcare entities based on its philosophy of supporting and caring for community health.

Today, our whole food plant-based approach to health is backed by decades of scientific research and evidence on the health benefits of a plant-based diet. Sanitarium remains committed to its purpose of helping New Zealanders enjoy healthier, happier and longer lives.

Our purpose of ‘changing lives every day through whole person health’ is evidenced through the nutritious foods we make, our free digital nutrition resources and health education programs, and our free nutrition expert advisory service available for the community and health professionals. To further our purpose, we also partner with charities to combat food and nutrition insecurity and help our communities in time of disaster.

We are proud to say we are still 100% New Zealand owned. Our head office and food manufacturing facility are in Auckland. We employ 265 people across New Zealand representing our diverse communities.  We export our products to our South Pacific Island neighbours.

As a wholly owned New Zealand organisation, our business operations benefit the New Zealand community and economy through employment, the purchase of New Zealand-grown ingredients, and working with many New Zealand businesses that help promote and move our products through the supply chain.

Our Board of Directors, with a majority of non-church employed professional directors, ensures compliance and good governance of operations in accordance with our legal obligations.

Sanitarium is a registered charity and has been granted income tax exemption status by the Internal Revenue Department. Sanitarium’s primary purpose is the promotion of health food products. This is aligned with the ‘whole person health’ objectives of the Seventh-day Adventist church. For more information about the charity sector and taxation please visit the New Zealand government’s website https://www.charities.govt.nz/

For more information about Sanitarium’s social purpose programs and activity visit  www.sanitarium.co.nz/social-purpose.