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We listen and understand all your concerns. Here are answers to the most common questions. Let us know if you have any other questions.
Where to buy?
Packaging
Processing & Allergen Handling Information
Ingredients
Creamy Soups
Broths
Organic Canned Soups
Non-Dairy Beverages
Organic Fair Trade Iced Teas
Where to buy?
Q: Can I order your products direct?
A: We do not offer mail-order services. You may order our products by individual or case quantity online through www.azurestandard.com.
Q: Where can I buy your products?
A: Please follow this link to our store locator guide. Not all products are purchased by every store. Products can be requested through the Store Manager or Buyer of your favorite market. Any retail store can purchase our products through distributors in your area. The retail store manager may offer you a case volume discount.
Packaging
Q: Can Pacific Foods of Oregon packages be recycled?
A: Yes. Our aseptic containers are recyclable. The plastic resealable cap is recyclable with #5 plastics. You will need to check with your local recycling center to confirm that the container is recycled in your area. If it is not recycled by your community you might check with a neighboring community or your local food store may have an in-store-recycling center. The aseptic packaging is an essential asset to our products for providing extended shelf life without the need for refrigeration; cost efficient distribution; and protection of the product’s flavor, nutrition, and quality. If you have any additional questions, please call Pacific Foods and we will send you recycling information developed by the Aseptic Packaging Council www.aseptic.org
Q: I noticed that when I look into the aseptic carton there is aluminum lining. Does this aluminum come in contact with the products?
A: No. The product is not exposed to the aluminum lining; rather two layers of polyethylene shield it. The aluminum is important for protecting the product from air and light, eliminating the need for preservatives or refrigeration. In total there are 6 layers that make up the aseptic package. From the outside in they are – polyethylene, paper, polyethylene, aluminum foil, polyethylene and polyethylene.
Q: Are the cartons microwaveable?
A: No. The cartons are not microwave safe.
Q: Can you freeze your products?
A: We do not recommend freezing our non-dairy beverages because there may be settling or separation of product once it is thawed.
If you need to freeze broth, please transfer the liquid to a freezer/microwave safe container.
Q: How long is the product good once it has been opened?
A: Most of our products are best when refrigerated and used within 7-10 days after opening. The unused portion must be refrigerated.
Q: How long will the product last in my cupboard, unopened?
A: Best if used by the date code on the package. However, we usually say that the products unopened, with no packaging issues (no bloating, damaged corners, etc.) should be good for at least 3 months after the expiration date. The expiration date gives the best indication of product quality, taste and nutrition. Anything after this expiration date Pacific Foods is not responsible for the condition of the product. Although the product will still be safe to consumer, it is subject to lack of quality in taste, appearance and nutrition.
Processing & Allergen Handling Information
Q: Are your drinks pasteurized?
A: Yes. Actually our products are homogenized and sterilized which takes
the product to a higher temperature than standard pasteurization. The product is brought to the temperature of approximately 292° F, and then sustained for a short time for ultra high temperature (UHT) treatment. This is a regulated temperature provided by the FDA for our aseptic sterilization requirements.
The flash-heating-and-cooling aseptic process reduces nutrient loss and retains more of the inherent flavors of the product.
Q: Do your products contain peanuts, eggs, tree nuts, soy, dairy, corn, shellfish, wheat or gluten?
A: Pacific Natural Foods does not produce anything with peanuts, eggs, or shellfish. We do produce many gluten-free, soy-free, corn-free, tree nut-free, and dairy-free products. Please see our product guide for a complete listing of products and the allergen information for each.
Q: What process do you use to avoid cross contamination between non-allergenic products and products containing an allergen?
A: Pacific Natural Foods does not produce products with eggs, sesame, shellfish, or peanuts in our facility. We do produce products containing dairy, soy, tree nuts, and corn. Every 24 hours, production shuts down for a total cleaning and sterilization of all equipment. Complete cleaning and sterilization is also performed between runs of dairy and non-dairy items.
To further reduce potential for cross contamination, a thorough cleaning and flushing of all equipment also takes place after running any product containing allergenic ingredients. The same cleaning is also performed between runs of non-organic and organic products to maintain the integrity of the organic ingredients.
Nonetheless, we cannot guarantee that every minute particle of an ingredient from the previous product is removed. If you or a family member has a serious allergy to ingredients in any of our products and are concerned about the possibility of cross contamination, we recommend that you do not use our products.
Q: Are your products Kosher?
A: Many of Pacific Natural Foods products are Kosher Dairy & Kosher Parve. Please see our Product Information Guide for a complete listing.
Ingredients
Q: Does your water contain Fluoride?
A: No. It does not contain any fluoride.
Q: Do your products contain MSG?
A: No. Pacific Natural Foods does not use MSG in any of our products or ingredients.
Many people who have allergies/sensitivities to MSG are concerned about hidden sources of free glutamates. We insist on full disclosure from our natural flavoring suppliers through our Certified to the Source® program, and if a supplier fails to comply we will not do business with them. Pacific Natural Foods utilizes an ingredient called Autolyzed Yeast Extract in select soups and broths. Autolyzed yeast extract contains a small amount of free glutamates. We encourage our customers who are sensitive to free glutamates to use our broths and soups that are free of this ingredient.
Q: Where do your ingredients come from?
A: Our proprietary Certified to the Source® program tracks the origin and history of all of our ingredients back to their source, ensuring that everything we make will be the finest all organic or natural product available anywhere. The majority of our products are sourced from the U.S.; however, some ingredients are just not grown here – like ginger, tea and certain spices – our Organic Fair Trade Teas come from India and many spices from the European Union.
Creamy Soups
Q: Are your creamy soups gluten free?
A: All of Pacific Natural Foods Creamy soups (in the Aseptic cartons) are wheat/gluten free.
Q: Do you offer any Light Sodium soups?
A: Pacific Natural Foods is excited to provide three flavorful light sodium soups - Light Sodium Organic Creamy Tomato, Light Sodium Organic Creamy Butternut Squash, and Light Sodium Organic Roasted Red Pepper & Tomato soups all with HALF the sodium of our original flavors.
Broths
Q: What are your broth bases made with?
A: Pacific Natural Foods broth bases are made with real chicken and beef; no artificial ingredients, colors, or additives are used.
Q: What about allergens in your broths?
A: All of Pacific Natural Foods broths are free of wheat/gluten, eggs, dairy, soy, shellfish, peanuts, tree nuts and MSG.
Q: How do you use Pacific Natural Foods broths?
A: Our flavorful, ready to eat broths are very easy to work with. A flavorful broth is the perfect solution for delicious sauces, soups and sautés, offering a wide variety of culinary applications for the home cook.
Organic Canned Soups
Q: Are any of your Organic Artisan Inspired Canned soups gluten/wheat free?
A: Yes! Organic Split Pea with Ha & Swiss, Organic Savory Chicken with Wild Rice and Organic Spicy Black Bean with Chicken Sausage are all wheat/gluten free.
Non-Dairy Beverages
Q: Are these products dairy, casein and whey free?
A: Yes! All of Pacific Natural Foods non-dairy beverages are completely dairy free, including casein and whey.
Q: Are these products vegan?
A: Yes! All of Pacific Natural Foods non-dairy beverages are vegan – including the vitamins used in select products.
Q: Can I bake with the non-dairy beverages?
A: You can. All of our non-dairy beverages are safe for baking and cooking purposes. They’re great for baking!
Organic Fair Trade Iced Teas
Q: What is Fair Trade?
A: Fair Trade Certification guarantees fair wages and decent working conditions, and benefits communities through the promotion of sustainable farming methods.
Q: Is there caffeine in the Organic Fair Trade Iced Teas?
A: Yes, all of our Organic Fair Trade Iced teas contain 28 mg of caffeine per serving.
Q: What is the ascorbic acid derived from?
A: The ascorbic acid used in our Organic Fair Trade Iced Teas is derived from corn.
Q: Are the Organic Fair Trade Iced Teas gluten free?
A: Yes! They are also free of soy, eggs, dairy, shellfish, peanuts and tree nuts.
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