Answers and links regarding the most commonly asked questions are below. But there may be things you need to know that aren't answered here. If so please Ask Us Your Questions.
- Are Food for Life sprouted breads "gluten free?"
- Does "live grain" mean Food For Life breads are considered a "raw" food?
- How can Food For Life make bread without flour?
- What are trans fats?
- What does "Live Grain Difference" mean?
- What does the term: "certified organically grown" mean when referring to the grains in Food For life breads?
- What Is The Difference Between Enriched White Breads And Sprouted Food For Life Breads?
- Why does Food For Life sprout grains in its breads?
- How do I know when my bread was made and/or will expire?
- Why does my Ezekiel 4:9 Pasta have a different code than the bread, and how do I read it?
Are Food for Life sprouted breads "gluten free?"
Any product that contains wheat (including semolina, durum, spelt, triticale, and kamut) rye, barley, or oats cannot be considered Gluten-Free. What is important is the sprouting process, through enzymatic activity, changes gluten to a more digestible or tolerable state. Many individuals with mild gluten sensitivities use sprouted products with no adverse side affects or allergic reactions. However each person’s individual constitution is different. We advise any person with gluten sensitivities including and in particular individuals with serious health conditions such as Celiac Disease to consult their physician before consuming any product that may contain gluten.
Does "live grain" mean Food For Life breads are considered a "raw" food?
Foods are typically considered “Raw” if they are cooked at temperatures below 110 degrees. Our 100% flourless breads must be baked above 250 degrees Fahrenheit or they would spoil during baking unless they are dehydrated. Although our breads are slow baked, at temperatures much lower than typical commercial bakeries, they are not considered “Raw”.
How can Food For Life make bread without flour?
We start with certified organically grown whole grains. After we sprout them, they are made into small batches of dough and slowly baked into bread.
Trans fats (trans fatty acids ) are produced by partial hydrogenation of unsaturated vegetable oils to improve the functional properties of the fat in certain foods. TFA are also naturally present in milk and meat from ruminant animals. The TFA from animal sources have no associated risk and have been found to give health benefits. The TFA from hydrogenated oils have been connected to increased heart disease. Food For Life Breads do not contain TFA's.
What does "Live Grain Difference" mean?
Through the sprouting process the grains become living, nutrient-rich, food. It is these “live” grains we use to make our breads. Different from other breads, we sprout all of the grains used in our bread prior to using them in our products. During our unique sprouting process, enzymes are released from the germ of the grain.
What does the term: "certified organically grown" mean when referring to the grains in Food For life breads?
“Certified organically grown” assures you the grains have been grown and processed without the use of spray fertilizers, chemicals or pesticides and the land (where the grains were grown), has not been sprayed for at least three years (including the current harvest). Certified organically grown grains are third party verified by certifying agencies to be processed according to the standards and statutes set forth by the organic foods act of 1990.
What Is The Difference Between Enriched White Breads And Sprouted Food For Life Breads?
“Enriched” Breads are made from the endosperm of the wheat kernel (the inside portion), which contains few vitamins and minerals (most carbohydrates). The milling of grain into white flour requires the removal of the bran and the germ. During this process, important natural fiber and bran are lost (including 21 vitamins and minerals). 5 vitamins and minerals (thiamine, riboflavin, niacin and folic acid) are added back into the flour and are thus, called “enriched”. By contrast, Food For Life sprouted breads are made from freshly sprouted grains which contain all of the fiber, bran, vitamins and minerals of the original grain plus an average of approximately 100% increase in those vitamins and minerals.
Why does Food For Life sprout grains in its breads?
Sprouting is the only way to release all the vital nutrients stored in whole grains. The sprouting process activates beneficial enzymes which cause the grains to sprout and become living and nutrient-rich. Stores of vitamins and minerals dramatically increase over the amount available in flour. Sprouting also converts the carbohydrates in grains into maltose, which is ordinarily done by the body during digestion, thereby predigesting nutrients for you. The enzymatic action enables the body to assimilate the vitamins and minerals more efficiently. Plus, the sprouting process naturally increases the protein content and decreases the calories and carbohydrates found in the original grain.
How do I know when my bread was made and/or will expire?
Most Food For Life products are stamped with a 5 digit code indicating a Julian calendar date. The code can be found on the “kwik lok”® (plastic clip) for most bread and English muffins, ink jet printed on the tortilla packaging, and on a sticker for the Yeast Free breads. The following are (2) examples on how to decipher Food For Life codes:
K (represents 2010)
L (represents 2011)
Example 1:
CODE K3265
Add the last digit to the first three digits:
326
+ 5
= 331 (331st day of the year 2010) = November 27, 2010
Example 2 :
CODE L0275
Add the last digit to the first three digits:
027
+ 5
= 032 (32nd day of the year 2011) = February 1, 2011
These codes indicate the date of production and are used to track product for quality control purposes etc... We guarantee these products for 9 months when kept frozen from this date.
These codes are not to be confused with expiration dates. Food For Life products are marketed on a frozen basis to the natural food marketplace and shelf life will depend upon the date products are thawed (except for the local Southern California Supermarket chains where they are distributed on a fresh basis. Note: While most Natural Food Stores display Food For Life products in the freezer, there are some “higher volume” stores who market Food For Life products off their store shelves or in the cooler or dairy case. It is advised to request the date the products were first thawed to determine life expectancy according to the guides below:
Life Expectancy:
Frozen (0°F) - 9 months
Refrigerated (45°F) - 2 weeks
Fresh (75°F) - 5 days
If products are purchased within these time periods from either the date of production or the date thawed, we recommend refrigerating or freezing for longer periods of keeping.
Why does my Ezekiel 4:9 Pasta have a different code than the bread, and how do I read it?
Some Food For Life products are produced in different facilities and will use the coding procedures of that facility. The Ezekiel 4:9® Pasta has this code “imprinted/embossed” on one end of the box. The pasta has a shelf life of 24 months from the date of production.
Examples of how to read the code are listed below:
Example 1:
J0510C = Produced on October 5, 2010 (will be good until Oct. 5, 2012)
1st digit: J = the month (J is the 10th letter of alphabet = 10th month) October
2nd/3rd digits: 05 = the day of the month – October 5th
4th/5th digits: 10 = year of production (2010) – October 5, 2010
6th digit: C = Shift of production – (C=3rd letter of alphabet = 3rd shift)
Example 2:
A2111B = Produced on January 21, 2011 (will be good until Jan. 21, 2013)
1st digit: A = the month (A is the 1st letter of alphabet = 1st month) January
2nd/3rd digits: 21 = the day of the month – January 21st
4th/5th digits: 11 = year of production (2011) – January 21, 2011
6th digit: B = Shift of production – (B=2nd letter of alphabet = 2nd shift)
