Organic Authenticity

In 1988 after twenty years of our own organic certification, Eden began to work with third-party organic certifiers. Eden systems and manuals for growers and processors were absorbed by the new organic certifiers and became part of their foundations.

Though all EDEN organic food is grown, handled, processed, and certified in a way that meets and exceeds the requirements for using the 'USDA Organic' seal, Eden chooses not to use this seal on its food labels. In short this seal does not approach Eden's standards for organic, in practice or in spirit.

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We work with a select group of certifying agencies including our primary organic certifier, the Organic Crop Improvement Association (OCIA). However, we maintain complete responsibility for ensuring organic authenticity. It's more than paperwork to us. We know our growers well. Each uses third-party certifiers who work with Eden standards, require an audit trail, and provide deep transparency.

Unfortunately, organic food no longer has to be natural food. There are hundreds of permitted chemicals and 'allowables' in the USDA National Organic Program (NOP) that Eden avoids. Despite the national law, certification requirements vary widely, all the way to non-existent. Accountability is rare, and even rarer when the food is imported from afar.

Eden does not consider food 'certified organic' unless we have executed due diligence and confirmed authenticity. The same is true for our non-genetically engineered claims. We test, so we know, before we say it is.

All EDEN organic food meets and exceeds requirements for using the USDA organic seal, but we choose not to use this seal because it does not begin to represent Eden standards, in practice or in spirit. For further insight please visit edenfoods.com/skeptic

GEO Free

Since 1993 Eden has diligently created a system that totally avoids genetically engineered food. The GEO industry and USDA want us to believe commercial scale GEO free food is impossible; as they've intentionally and thoroughly polluted the food supply. Yet Eden is proof that GEO free food is doable and we have the records, tests, and food that demonstrate this.

Recently, the Non-GMO Project (The Project) was created by industry members from all of its sectors in the USA and Canada. The Project aims to provide consumers and makers a third party non-GMO verification program through all levels of the supply chain, thus providing verified non-GMO alternatives to the consumer. Eden Foods' President, Michael Potter, is one of eleven governing members of the board of directors who has been involved in initiating, funding, and writing standards for The Project. The Project is North America's first independent non-GMO verification program utilizing on-site facility audits, document and systems reviews, and DNA PCR (polymerase chain reaction) testing of all inputs at risk for GMO contamination.

To view Eden enrolled foods that have all been verified as compliant with the Non-GMO Project Standard, visit edenfoods.com/verified

Irradiation Free

Realizing that powerful forces were determined to make food irradiation a common practice, Eden first communicated with our customers about this issue and established a Zero Tolerance policy for irradiated foods in 1988. Today as irradiation is an ever-increasing threat to human rights and health, Eden's position remains Zero Tolerance. Rigorous selection and screening down to every herb, spice, and seasoning provides us 100% confidence that no EDEN food or ingredient is, has been, or ever will be subject to irradiation. We encourage your vigilance and activism.

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Superior Food Safety

Eden employs AIB International in our mission to ensure food safety and purity. Since 2000 all Eden distribution centers and processing facilities have passed AIB's stringent annual audits achieving a ‘Superior' rating, the highest possible in food safety and sanitation.

Eden is committed to allergen control. In 2007 we built an isolated packaging room to eliminate the possibility of wheat gluten contamination in our gluten-free foods. The room is severely monitored to ensure our gluten-free food has no contact with wheat allergens.

To ensure the quality of ingredients, Eden maintains an in-house laboratory at its Michigan headquarters. Here testing is conducted for the presence of allergens, vomitoxin, aflatoxin, pathogens, and GMOs; as well as shelf life studies, protein, pH-acid/alkaline, Brix, moisture, water absorption, and overall freshness and quality.

Ecological Pest Control

Eden hired L. Ernest Otter's family business in 1981 to help with design and implementation of the first organic Structural Pest Management program. We established systems for organic pest management that are safer and more effective than toxic chemical-based pest control. Mr. Otter says, "Eden's demand for the organic method in food handling is unmatched. When faced with a potential problem, their reaction is not (as many do) to simply move organic product aside and spray with unapproved pesticides. Their commitment is to truly understand the conditions and ecology of each situation and solve it accordingly."

Kosher

Eden has managed certification of its kosher foods for more than thirty years. Today 92 percent of EDEN foods are kosher. Eden chose the Organized Kashrus Laboratories of Brooklyn, New York and their mark because of their reputation for meticulous attention to detail dating back to 1935. We began this after finding our natural foods were already, in general, completely qualified for kosher status.

The when it appears alone, means that a food is 'pareve' as well as kosher. Pareve indicates all ingredients, food contact surfaces, processing, and storage equipment are certified meat and dairy free.