Are the dairy ingredients used in SEEDS OF CHANGE® Products organic?
We use certified organic milk (from cows) in our products. The milk fat in our chocolate bars is not necessarily certified organic.

Why is evaporated cane juice used in SEEDS OF CHANGE® Products?
It is a naturally derived sugar from heated concentration of cane syrup. The benefit of this ingredient is that it is not chemically bleached like white sugar.

Do any of the SEEDS OF CHANGE® Products contain Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)?
No, SEEDS OF CHANGE® products do not contain Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs). The National Organic Program (NOP) standard prohibits the use of genetically modified organisms (defined in the standards as "excluded methods") in organic operations. A genetically modified organism is an organism whose genetic material has been altered using techniques in genetics generally known as "recombinant DNA technology".

Recombinant DNA technology is the ability to combine DNA molecules from different sources into the one molecule in a test tube. Seeds of Change seeds and the crops in which our food products are derived from are developed through natural selection and breeding techniques.

What SEEDS OF CHANGE® Products are gluten-free?
All SEEDS OF CHANGE® Pasta Sauces, Salsas and Salad Dressings are gluten-free. Frozen Entrées, Rice & Grain blends and Chocolate Bars are not.

Are any of the ingredients in any SEEDS OF CHANGE® Product irradiated?
No ingredient or seed in any SEEDS OF CHANGE® product is irradiated.

What SEEDS OF CHANGE® Products are Certified Kosher?
The Frozen Meals and Salad Dressings are not Certified Kosher at this time.

The following Pasta Sauces are Certified Kosher: Porcini Mushroom Pasta Sauce; Fire Roasted Tomato & Garlic Pasta Sauce; and Summer Tomato Basil Pasta Sauce.

The following Rice & Grain Side Dishes are Certified Kosher: French Herb Quinoa Blend; Moroccan Lentil Rice Pilaf; Seven Grain Pilaf Blend; Tomato Basil Quinoa Blend; Tuscan Style Rice & Beans; and Zesty Cilantro Quinoa Blend.

The following Salsas are Certified Kosher: Black Bean & Tomato Medium; Garlic & Cilantro Mild; Garlic & Cilantro Spicy; Traditional Picante Mild; and Traditional Picante Medium.

The following Chocolate Bars are Certified Kosher: Bayano, La Dominicana, Narragansett, Santa Catarina and Veneto.

Who certifies SEEDS OF CHANGE® Products as Kosher?
Several of our SEEDS OF CHANGE® Products are certified as being Kosher and have the identifying Circle U symbol. The certifying organization is Orthodox Union Kashruth Division, 11 Broadway, New York, NY 10004, 212-563-4000, www.ou.org. Chocolate bars are certified organic by Rabbi Teichman, Kehilla Kosher, 186 North Citrus Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90036, Phone: 323-935-8383, Fax: 323-372-3574.

Do any of the SEEDS OF CHANGE® Products contain Monosodium Glutamate (MSG)?
We do not add MSG to any SEEDS OF CHANGE® Products. However, glutamates occur naturally in some ingredients (e.g., tomatoes, mushrooms, Parmesan cheese, etc.).

What is Quinoa?
This is a gluten free ingredient. An ancient South American grain that has the highest protein content of all grains. Upon cooking, the germ from the quinoa is loosened away from the seed and you can observe thin, pale-colored sprouts floating on the surface of the cooking water and dispersed throughout the cooked product. The quinoa is washed and polished prior to packaging.

Are the spices used in the SEEDS OF CHANGE® Products irradiated?
All of the spices used are certified organic and are not irradiated.

What SEEDS OF CHANGE® Products are vegetarian appropriate?
All SEEDS OF CHANGE® products - Frozen Foods, Pasta Sauces, Salad Dressings, Rice & Grain Blends, and Chocolate Bars - are vegetarian appropriate.

What kind of vinegar is used in the SEEDS OF CHANGE® Products?
The vinegar we use in the majority of our products is white vinegar. It is distilled and is gluten free.

What is the source of the water used in the SEEDS OF CHANGE® Products?
The water used conforms to the California Organic Standards; it is filtered water from a municipal water system.

Is there alcohol in the white wine vinegar?
There is no percentage of alcohol in this ingredient. It is a gluten-free ingredient.

SHELF LIFE / STORAGE INQUIRIES

What is the shelf life of SEEDS OF CHANGE® Products?
SEEDS OF CHANGE® Pasta Sauces and Salsas have a 15-month shelf life. Frozen Entrées and Salad Dressings have a 12-month shelf life. Rice & Grain Blends have a 14-month shelf life. Our Chocolate Bars are best enjoyed within one year of the date stamped on the packaging.

How do you read the manufacturing code on the bottles, jars, and cartons?
The manufacturing date code is printed on the neck of our glass jars and embossed on either the top or bottom flap of our cartons. Under our current system, date codes consist of five digits beginning with three numbers, followed by two letters. The first number refers to the year in which the product was manufactured, with "5" denoting 2005, "6" denoting 2006, and "7" denoting 2007. The next two numbers refer to the week of the year the product was manufactured. The remaining two letters are used for internal purposes and refer to the plant and shift.

For example: a product having the date code "601CO" was manufactured during the first week of 2006.

How long do the pasta sauces and salsas last in the refrigerator?
The unused pasta sauces and salsas must be refrigerated after opening. They will last in the refrigerator for about 2 weeks.

How long do the salad dressings last in the refrigerator?
The unused salad dressings must be refrigerated after opening. They will last in the refrigerator about 3 months. Be sure to wipe the top of the container after each use.

Is it okay to freeze opened product?
Pasta Sauce — it is okay to freeze unused pasta sauce. For best results use within the 3–6 month window to eliminate the potential for freezer burn.
Salsa — it is okay to freeze unused salsa. For best results, freeze immediately after opening jar. Do not freeze in the glass jar. Store in a freezer appropriate container. Defrost in refrigerator and use within 2 weeks.

What will happen if the jar or bottle freezes?
If the any of the jars of product (pasta sauce, salsas or salad dressings) become frozen, they should be fine as long as the lids have not popped or the jars do not have any cracks or damage. The only thing is the texture may be slightly different, especially in the salad dressings. They would have more of a visual separation of ingredients.

Storing Unopened Product
Unopened frozen entrées must be kept in the freezer. Other unopened products should be kept in a cool (less than 80ºF), dry, insect-free area, away from odoriferous material of any kind.