Eden Foods Company Goals began to form over 55 years ago. They are a sounding board for planning. Clear goals to honor macrobiotic principles have allowed Eden Foods to offer not only pure natural food, but pure macrobiotic quality natural and organic food free from thousands of allowable, hidden, undeclared processing aids, and additives found in commercial ‘natural’ food. These goals have focused Eden Foods on becoming a principled natural food company to reliably handle food and maintain vital nourishment. All ingredients are dutifully listed on EDEN labels which is exceedingly rare today.
One of the best things about Eden Foods is that it continues to do what it started out to do. To acquire and share traditional, real-organic, natural, pure & purifying food. More than 240 EDEN foods, including macrobiotic Japanese items, are available on Eden Foods’ website and at discerning retailers throughout the U.S. and Canada.
The EDEN brand means no irradiation, untoward chemical additives, refined sugar, genetically engineered ingredients or their derivatives; only the safest, most nutritious food that can be found. In other words ‘ancient health foods’, the benefits of which are continually being affirmed in modern research.
Mismanaged U.S. Organic
EDEN food is grown, handled, processed, and certified so that it meets and exceeds USDA requirements for using its ‘organic’ term and seal.
Eden Foods chose not to use USDA’s seal on labels because it does not represent a system that approaches Eden standards for organic, in spirit or in practice. The U.S. organic system has declined into a paperwork system to serve Big Ag, big food processors, and chemical manufacturers. It does not focus on life in the soil and sustainability. There are thousands of chemicals and ‘allowables’ permitted or turned a blind to, in USDA’s National Organic Program (NOP). Regardless, Eden Foods chooses to avoid them. USDA organic certification requirements vary a great deal, depending upon which certifiers and inspectors take part. The cheapest and easiest is most often chosen. With imported ‘organic’ food, inspections are limited or non-existent. There is nothing more than paperwork to fill out. Accountability is rare. New exemptions and definitions have widely opened the door to GMO and chemical contamination in American ‘organic’ food.
Eden Foods’ choice of third-party organic certification uses certifiers that hold companies accountable and encourage constant improvement. Our primary organic certifier is the Organic Crop Improvement Association (OCIA). Nevertheless, we maintain responsibility for ensuring organic authenticity amongst ourselves. It is far more than paperwork and a set of yes/no questions to us. We become familiar with farms, farmers, their histories, and growing practices. Rigorous certifiers are used whose standards are similar to our own; a thorough audit trail and deep transparency. Learning what motivates an organic grower is insightful and valuable.
Eden Foods does not consider food ‘organic’ until we have completed thorough, appropriate due diligence regarding its authenticity. The same is true for non-genetically engineered claims; we study, we test so that we know, before we say it is non-GMO.
GMO Free Since 1993
Foreseeing the commercialization of genetically engineered food and learning who and what was behind it, led Eden Foods in 1993 to establish a policy guarding against GMOs and their derivatives in the food we purchase. Eden remains diligent in doing the considerable work necessary to keep EDEN food free of GMOs. Eden Foods’ GMO-Free assurance is made possible by —
• Familiarity with growers, their families, farms, and suppliers
• Familiarity with Eden Foods suppliers and their methodologies
• In-house and third-party tests for GMOs in seed, ingredients, and finished goods
• Traditional, natural methods in food handling and processing with the goal of purity in food always in mind
• Audit trails and meticulous records for each food
With more than 55 years in the natural food industry, Eden Foods is unaware of any other food company that spends a greater percentage of its time and money to be certain of the growing, ingredients, handling, and processing used for food that carries its brand. Eden Foods is dependable in the diligence necessary to avoid contamination with, and commercialization of, genetically engineered food.
Irradiated Food Ban
It is irrefutable that irradiation of food randomly changes genetic makeup. In 1988, after realization the powers that be were determined to make food irradiation widespread, Eden Foods issued a policy to establish a Zero Tolerance Policy for food that was irradiated. The policy remains in effect. Thorough study and discerning selection down to every herb, spice, and seasoning provided to Eden Foods, gives confidence that no EDEN food or ingredient is, has been, or will be irradiated.
Kosher / Pareve
Kosher certification began at Eden Foods in 1977 when it was realized that our natural foods already qualified for kosher distinction. The Organized Kashrus Laboratories of Brooklyn, New York and their 
mark was selected due to their attention to detail dating back to 1935. The means the food is ‘pareve’ as well as kosher. Pareve means ingredients, food contact surfaces, processing, and storage equipment are certified meat and dairy free.
Clean Environment
The ethic of ‘pure food’ packaging must consistently support a healthy environment that can produce more pure food. Eden Foods’ environmental protection activities are in harmony with the company goal of having a strong, positive impact on farming practices and food processing techniques. Eden Foods monitors environmental impacts of food upstream to our suppliers, through company operations, and downstream by tracking social and environmental impacts. Energy use and waste are tracked with custom in-house tools.
In 2009, Eden Foods was selected as the best food company in the world, and the third best company overall by The Better World Shopping Guide. Again in 2015, Eden Foods achieved their highest possible company rating, earning “Green Hero” status six times and an A+ rating in an astonishing 12 different categories, and was deemed to be one of the “20 Best Companies on the Planet.” The awards acknowledge an outstanding record in environmental and social responsibility. Sourcing and use of ecological packaging solutions are integral in the work of Eden Foods.
BPA, BPS & Phthalate Free Pioneer
Eden Foods became alarmed about the toxicity of bisphenol-A used in food packaging well before it became mainstream news. Since April 1999, canned EDEN Beans have been BPA, BPS, and phthalate free beginning with a custom oleoresin c-enamel can lining. This lining was only usable for low-acid food such as beans, not for tomatoes. In 2016, this lining was updated to also work for high-acid food like tomatoes. Can linings are needed to prevent interaction between the food and the tinplate steel of the cans. The current can lining that Eden uses is for both high- and low-acid food and is the safest available. It is tested BPA, BPS, and phthalate free. Eden Foods is confident that it is the cleanest can lining available for the food it prepares.
Amber Glass Protects
EDEN unrefined Vegetable Oils, raw Vinegar, Juice, 10 oz. Soy Sauces, Crushed Tomatoes, Spaghetti and Pizza Pasta Sauces are packed in dark amber glass to protect taste and nutrients from light caused photo-oxidation; light-induced chemical changes that result in off taste and reduced nutrition. Fluorescent lighting in particular attacks food quality and taste. Plastics add tastes and adulterate food. Amber glass is the premium food packaging material.
Glass packaging is used for all organic EDEN Fruit Sauces, Butters, Juices, Sauerkraut, and most Condiments. Glass is the most environmentally and health friendly food packaging material. It is endlessly and easily recycled. It is made from three sustainable ingredients: sand, limestone, and soda ash.
Tea Bag Consciousness
Organic EDEN Teas, 16 tea bags/box, are suitably packaged. Unbleached manila fiber bags are crimp-sealed to avoid glue, with a 100% cotton string. Epichlorohydrin (plastic/epoxy resin and known carcinogen) that is common in commercial tea bags is not present. Each tea bag is wrapped in a moisture proof paper envelope that is printed with soy ink.
Recycled Paperboard
Organic EDEN Teas, Pasta, and Dry Beans are in boxes made of recycled and recyclable paperboard printed with soy ink. Recycled paperboard is one of the most environmentally friendly materials available. According to the 100% Recycled Paperboard Alliance (RPA100.com), “Fourteen trees are saved for each ton of paperboard converted to recycled paperboard.” Trees remove CO2 from the air. Each ton of paperboard converted to 100% recycled paperboard saves an equal amount of packaging from going to landfills. Making 100% recycled paperboard uses 50% less energy than virgin paperboard to reduce greenhouse gases.
Energy Miser Aseptic Package
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) tells us pollution from refrigeration has been increasing exponentially. Aseptic packages deliver ‘no refrigeration needed’ value to handling and distribution. Eden Foods uses only the finest whole food ingredients, intelligent packaging, and the least amount of hydrocarbon energy to do so, including in distribution and final utilization. EDENSOY aseptic packages require no refrigeration in storage or transport until they are opened. EDENSOY cartons are 77% certified sustainable forest sourced to ensure biodiversity, protection of endangered species, and for recycling.
Food Safety Audits
Eden employs AIB International and BRC Global Standards to audit food safety and food handling systems. Since 2000, Eden warehouses and processing facilities have passed stringent annual inspection and achieved the highest ratings. Allergen control is thorough. Isolated packaging rooms reduce the possibility of contamination of gluten-free foods that are heavily monitored to ensure their gluten-free status is maintained. FDA standards for marketing Gluten Free is less than 20 parts per million (ppm). Eden Foods has chosen to use less than 10 ppm before we use the marketing phrase Gluten Free. For a list of EDEN Gluten Free foods please go to edenfoods.com/glutenfree.html.
Third-Party Certifications
Eden Foods uses stringent third-party certification and inspection organizations to best ensure continued improvement and discipline to Eden standards of organic, natural, non-GMO, kosher authenticity, and excellence in food safety and quality. Everyone is welcome to view and download certification documents from BRCGS, OCIA, Non-GMO Project, OK Laboratories, AIB International, and C-TPAT. In addition to these oversights and continual improvement efforts, we participate in government oversight by the FDA, USDA, Michigan Department of Agriculture, OSHA, MIOSHA, and many other authorities.
A Principled Natural Food Company
What principles?
Principles that respect life and contribute to its well-being. Commonsensical, straightforward, and forthright methods in actions with other people. Universal principles guiding Eden Foods since 1968.
Translating macrobiotic principles into dietary suggestions points to the basic need of pure whole grain being the fulcrum of one’s balanced diet. Once that is accomplished, most everything else will take care of itself at every level; personal, mental, physical, emotional, societal, economic, political, spiritual, environmental, and interpersonal.
Improved judgment results over the long run.
A transition from commercial food to healthy food centered upon whole grain is not an easy process. It is a basic necessity to accomplish freedom, harmony, and to nourish intuition. The transition requires focused persistence. Considerable experience and knowledge about food, its uses, and benefits are available to help those who work to make the change.