What is germ reduced?

Food contains various microbes, such as bacteria and germs. Organic ingredients naturally contain many more microbes than conventional ingredients. This is because organic food is not treated with pesticides.

Is it healthy to consume organic food?

Naturally! In the first place because the products are organic. But in addition: people with a normal resistance do not get sick from consuming organic ingredients with "more" microbes. Only when the resistance is not (yet) optimal, as in newborns, elderly people, pregnant women and people with a lowered immune system, this could have unpleasant effects. Preventing people from refraining to add organic herbs and spices to their diet, is why we offer many different germ reduced herbs and spices!

Benefits of germ reduced ingredients

Making organic ingredients germ reduced (removing as much as possible harmful bacteria and germs) provides several benefits: germ reduced ingredients can be used in baby food, for example, or in perishable products, such as dairy products. The use of organic low-germ ingredients in dairy products prevents them from spoiling faster because there are no microbes that can multiply rapidly on, for example, cheese and thus accelerate spoilage.

Methods of germ reduction

There are several ways to make products low in germs. Among other things, heat and pressure can be used.

Germ reduction by heat (steam)

The use of heat (with a treatment temperature of up to 140 °C in the form of steam) is a natural way of pasteurising products. The right combination of treatment temperatures, steam and time will lead to the desired germ reduction. Harmful germs, such as bacteria, are killed and are no longer detectable after this treatment.

Germ reduction by pressure

Another way of killing bacteria is to use pressure. Products are pressed together in a pressure chamber which can be made airtight. This is done using nozzles.

Other methods for germ reduction

In addition to heat and pressure, there are other ways of making products low in germs. These include irradiation, gasification and the use of acid. We do not use these processes.

So are germ-reduced products completely germ-free?

Although organic products with germ-reducing measures usually contain fewer harmful microorganisms due to the processing methods and standards of the food industry, it is unlikely that they are completely germ-free. Despite germ-reducing measures, some bacteria may survive and multiply.

It is therefore recommended that germ-reduced organic products are stored as directed and consumed within the specified time period.

Is this product Germ Reduced? Where do I find out?

To find out if a product is germ reduced you can take a look at the product specification. You can find the specification by clicking/tapping the last product image or by using the link called "Specsheet" under the heading "More Information".

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