Five-year-old Jane Findlay samples this year's vintage of Girl Guide Biscuits at the Scout Hall in Crown Lane, Remuera. Photo / Greg Bowker
After 50 years of being regarded as one of the good things in Kiwi life, Girl Guide biscuits go on sale today fighting a new image as too-sweet baddies.
The biscuits are 25 per cent sugar, and because of this, Nelson's Garin College has banned them and Green
Party health spokeswoman Sue Kedgley wants the Guides to change the recipe.
"If they are targeting these biscuits at children, they should reduce the sugar content and change the recipe a bit," she said. "They could find it does [more] for sales and their charity."
But Girl Guides executive director Jill Tomlinson defended her biscuits.
She said the recipe had been around for 50 years and the organisation had received several calls from people telling them not to change.
"They're a bit of a national icon," she said. "They're hugely popular, but as the principal of Garin College says, they're a treat and that's the way we expect people to use them."
Ms Tomlinson said the biscuits were the Girl Guides' big earner.
"This is what has kept the organisation going for 50 years, this is what has given us the financial backing to be able to keep developing and offering girls the opportunity to develop life skills and to work out for themselves a balanced lifestyle."
Biscuits will be sold door-to-door and in workplaces until March 18.
Garin College principal John Boyce said the issue came up at a staff meeting in relation to the school's food policy and it was decided to ban them from the school canteen.
"Our policy says not too much sugar, not too much fat or salt."
- STAFF REPORTER, NZPA
