Q: Does Nature's Path use only organic ingredients? A: Nature's Path and EnviroKidz brands uses organic ingredients where and when they are available. We also work with many of our suppliers to help convert conventional ingredients to organics. According to the National Organic Standards (which we are Certified Organic to meet), if an ingredient is not available in commercial quantity in organic form, and if it meets other stringent requirements like not containing hexane or GMOs or being grown with sewage sludge, then it is allowed to be used up to a maximum of 5% of total ingredients under the "Certified Organic" label. Some LifeStream brand cereals are non-organic, but natural, and some are "Made with Organic" For more detail on the organic certification categories click here .

Q: What is evaporated unrefined cane juice? A: Refined sugar is produced through the use of chemical purification and bleaching of sugar cane which removes the mineral component of the sugar and is very hard on the environment.  Evaporated unrefined cane juice eliminated the chemical purification steps of the process of turning cane juice into a crystalline substance, retaining its mineral content and creating less harmful byproducts to be released into the environment.  It is composed mostly of sucrose and has the same sweetening properties as refined sugar.

Q: Where does our sea salt come from? A: The sea salt that we market under the LifeStream label as well as the sea salt that we use as an ingredient in our cereals is obtained through vacuum evaporation of sea water from San Francisco Bay.

Q: What exactly are ‘natural flavours’? A: A natural flavour has not been submitted to processes that have significantly altered the original physical, chemical or biological state.  It has no constituent or fraction thereof removed or significantly changed.

Q: What does ‘packed without preservatives’ mean? A: No artificial or chemical preservatives such as BHA or BHT have been added to the cereal.  There should therefore be extra care taken to store the cereal in a cool dark place in order to preserve freshness.

Q: Why use barley malt extract? A: Barley malt extract is an organic sweetener made from sprouted barley.  It contains complex sugars, which are absorbed by the body less quickly than refined sugar.

Q: What is flax meal? A: Flax meal is composed of freshly ground whole flax seeds, which are the highest source of Omega 3 fatty acids derived from plant sources.  Omega 3 fatty acids cannot be manufactured by the body, so they must be include in the diet.  Unfortunately, today’s diets are composed largely of hydrogenated fats which do not provide the balance that the body needs for proper digestion and heart function.

Q: Which is better for you – rice bran or wheat bran? A: Both are insoluble fibres, which mean they cannot be digested, and will therefore pass through the body.  This is necessary for a healthy digestive system.  Wheat bran has a better flavour (rice bran can be bitter tasting) and is more readily available.

Q: What is flaked yellow corn?  Why is it flaked?     A: Corn can be flaked into a coarse meal or it can be ground into a fine flour.  The different textures result in different textured flakes.

Q: What is amaranth? A: Amaranth is an ancient grain, actually not a grain but a seed from a broadleaf plant.  It was used by both the Aztecs and the Incas.  Amaranth provides more protein, calcium, iron, potassium, phosphorus and magnesium than other grains.

Q: What is Quinoa? A: Quinoa (say keen-wa) is an ancient crop originating with the Aztec Indians of South America. Unlike most grains, it does not belong to the grass family, but is a relative of the garden weed called Fat Hen. It is very nutritious, containing between 13-15% protein with a good amino acid composition. Quinoa is also gluten free.

Q: What is Spelt? A: Spelt is closely related to common wheat, originating in the Middle East. It is higher in protein than wheat, and causes fewer problems than wheat for some sufferers of grain allergies. It has an intense nutty wheaty flavour.

Q: What is concentrated grape juice? A: Some of our organic Nature’s Path cereals are sweetened with concentrated grape juice instead of honey or cane juice.  Some of the water has been removed from the grape juice to bring the level of naturally occurring sugars in the juice to approximately 60%.  Grape juice is composed largely of glucose and fructose while cane juice is predominantly sucrose.

Q: What are the best before dates on cereal?  On manna bread? A: Most of our cereals are packed with a 300 day code date (i.e.) the date on the box is 300 days after production.  It is a numerical date that reads month-day-year followed by a letter which indicates the shift it was packaged on (i.e. 092997B).  The flax cereals and mueslis have an 8 month shelf life.  The manna breads have a production code on the bag to indicate to us which day the bread was produced and the retailer is instructed to put a best before sticker in the product depending on whether it is to be sold refrigerated (2 week date) or frozen (up to 1 year date).

Q: What does it mean to use filtered water and why do we do this? A: The water used in the cereal and manna breads is filtered through a fine mesh filter to remove any impurities that might affect the flavour of the product.  Impurities could also effect the functioning of the equipment.

Q: What does ‘unleavened’ bread mean and what are the benefits? A: Unleavened bread is bread to which no leavening agent has been added (i.e. yeast, sodium bicarbonate, egg white) Some people are sensitive or allergic to these leavening agents and some may wish to simply avoid them in their diet.  Our unleavened bread contains no additives, resulting in a heavy cake-like texture.

Q: Could we have some information on the sprouting process? A: Whole grains are soaked in a measured amount of water and held for a specified period of time at controlled temperatures.  The water enters the grain and causes it to germinate. This process causes the starch in the grain to convert to complex sugars, which are slowly assimilated by the body. It also results in an increase in vitamin content, particularly the vitamin B complex.

Q: Why is Manna bread sold frozen? A: The Manna breads have no preservatives added and because of their high moisture and sugar content, they only have a shelf life at room temperature of three days.

Q: Are any of the Manna breads 100% fat free? A: All of the Manna breads have no added fat. Any of the fat in the breads is naturally occurring from the grains or from any added nuts.