AWARD WINNING CHOCOLATE IN CANADA

Vancouver/Toronto, July 25, 2005 - Chocolate connoisseurs will be thrilled to learn that Michel Cluizel chocolate is now available in Canada. Canadian importer and distributor, Qualifirst, a leader in introducing and distributing the finest foods on Earth to Canadians, was seeking a "Step Up" in chocolate quality for the Canadian Gourmet, and succeeded.

The Cluizel chocolate factory has been producing higher-quality chocolate since 1948. Michel Cluizel produces his chocolate masterpieces in his state-of-the-art "Chocolaterie" in the south of Normandy strictly following generations-old quality standards that have made Michel Cluizel chocolates famous in France and internationally. The "Chocolaterie" also produces couverture chocolate for pastry chefs the world-over, in a broad range of "Premier Cru", or single plantation, chocolates. These single plantation chocolates are the 'single-malts' of the chocolate world, with subtle and rare flavours treasured by chocolate experts.

Michel Cluizel is a family-owned company. Assisted by his four children, the traditions and rules essential for superior chocolate are religiously followed. Well-known for its dark chocolate (high cocoa content) and some of the industry's toughest quality standards, Michel Cluizel pioneered estate chocolates, which are chocolates made with cacao from a single estate in a specific part of the world.

Michel Cluizel has been recognized recently with awards at the "Salon du Chocolat" in Paris, and by "Que Choisir", an independent consumers association. This is in addition to a long tradition of awards stretching back 50 years.

The Qualifirst Group has been on the cutting edge of introducing fine chocolate to Canada for almost half a century.  In the 1960's and 1970's The Qualifirst Group introduced TOBLER^TM chocolate (TOBLERONE^TM) and LINDT^TM to Western Canada.  In the 1990's and early 2000's, the company developed Valrhona^TM chocolate in Canada.  The addition of Michel Cluizel is a natural evolution in bringing the best chocolate available, to Canadians.

"The response to the Cluizel line so far has been excellent," says Yves Farges, founder and president, Qualifirst Group. "In a very short time, the line has already been picked up by many well known establishments across Canada, as Canadians understand and appreciate quality.  This appreciation will make Michel Cluizel do exceptionally well in our market."

Michel Cluizel is well known for its commitment to quality, and processes cocoa beans at its own factory, giving it complete control of the entire chocolate making process. Artificial additives are banned, and the company only uses pure cacao, pure cacao butter, whole bourbon vanilla beans and sugar cane without soy lecithin in all of their chocolates.  There are therefore no genetically modified ingredients in their product.  More than 6000 professionals in pastry, catering and candy-making use or resell Michel Cluizel chocolates around the world.