INGREDIENTS NOT ALLOWED
ALTERNATIVES ALLOWED
QUALITY
Colors derived directly from botanical sources such as turmeric and beets
Full Ingredient Disclosure The FDA does not require that ingredients be listed for many of our products, but our commitment is to be transparent about everything we are putting in our products. We provide a complete list of all ingredients for all our items in our wholesale catalog and answer all inquiries about ingredients openly.
No artificial colors
Flavors derived directly from botanical sources
No artificial flavors
Genetically Engineered (GMO) Ingredient Elimination We believe genetically engineered crops, as currently regulated, constitute a significant risk to organic agriculture and may have other risks to long-term biodiversity and to human and animal health.
No synthetic chemical preservatives and antioxidants such as BHA, BHT, TBHQ, benzoates and nitrates
Non-synthetic preservatives such as vitamins C and E
Between organic certification (which prohibits use of GMOs) and non-GMO verification through the Non-GMO Project, 55% of our Foods & Flavorings products are organic certified and 32% are Non-GMO Project verified. On the Essentials side, 16% of our Aura Cacia essential oils are organic certified and 13% are Non-GMO Project verified. 96% of our Plant Boss products are organic certified. None are Non-GMO Project verified. Allergen Control As the awareness of various allergens continues to increase, we’ve taken steps to improve our allergen control processes. We have strict procedures in place to prevent cross-contamination. When we process products that have any FDA-defined allergens (milk, tree nuts, soy, sesame, mustard (CAN), wheat, sulfites), we do a wet cleanup to eliminate cross-contamination. Because there is a large enough population with extreme allergic reactions to eggs, peanuts and shellfish, these ingredients are not allowed into our facilities at all. We carry 27 Simply Organic brand items that are certified gluten-free by the Gluten Free Certification Organization (GFCO). Non-irradiation, Non-ETO, and Other Prohibited Ingredients Herb, spice and other food ingredients we source for our products must meet strict standards we have defined for individual ingredients. Our product standard covers post-harvest treatment and processing. We specifically disallow the treatment of our spices and herbs by ethylene oxide (ETO), a common sterilant used in spices, the by-product of which is carcinogenic. Product Quality and Safety In addition to our standards for product ingredients, we have made commitments to product quality and food safety. Here are the principles we’ve set out for product quality and safety:
Sweeteners derived directly from botanical sources such as brown rice syrup, stevia and cane sugar Flavor enhancers derived directly from botanical sources such as spices and citric acid
No artificial sweeteners such as aspartame and saccharine
No artificial flavor enhancers such as MSG and guanylate
No synthetic, free-flowing/ anticaking agents such as tricalcium phosphate
Organic rice concentrate
PROCESSES NOT ALLOWED
ALTERNATIVES ALLOWED
No chemical pasteurization such as ethylene oxide, or propylene oxide
Steam pasteurization
No treatment with irradiation
Steam pasteurization
No methyl bromide for pesticide treatment
CO 2
Extraction processes using botanically derived extractants such as alcohol. Physical processes such as cutting, grinding, blending, cooking, and baking. Simple chemical processes such as fermentation, acidification and hydrolysis.
• We will not compromise on the safety of a prod- uct under any circumstance, and every effort will be made to avoid hazards to health. • Compliance with all relevant laws and regulations is not negotiable.
• People and equipment will be made available to ensure the safety and quality of our products. • We will support the continued development, maintenance and improvement of our quality programs.
No process using petrochemicals such as benzene for extraction
2022 Social Responsibility Report | 64
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