12 Jan 2022

De-registered doctor questioned over her chocolate business

4:34 pm on 12 January 2022

A Kaiapoi doctor who is no longer registered to practice is now being questioned over her use of an unapproved sugar substitute in her chocolate business.

Dr Jonie Girouard.

A screengrab of Dr Jonie Girouard. Photo: A screengrab from Newshub

Footage of Jonie Girouard​ issuing bogus exemptions and coaching people on how to use them sparked a Medical Council investigation into the North Canterbury GP in December.

She is now unable to practise as a doctor after she asked to be de-registered as a result of the investigation.

Girouard also runs Jonie G's Guilt Free Chocolate - a keto, vegan, and diabetes-friendly chocolate range sweetened with the sugar substitute allulose​.

However, Allulose is not currently permitted for sale under the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code.

The Ministry for Primary industries has confirmed New Zealand Food Safety is supporting the Waimakariri District Council to look into the business to ensure compliance.

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