Our commitment to food safety:
Nothing is more important to Earth’s Best than the trust and confidence of parents that our products provide safe nutrition for healthy babies. Our rigorous internal standards and testing procedures ensure the safety of Earth’s Best products. We work collaboratively with the Food and Drug Administration and the Department of Agriculture to continuously refine and improve upon the standards – including reducing the levels of heavy metals that exist in fruits, vegetables and grains due to their presence in soil, air, and water.
You may have seen a Congressional subcommittee report examining the levels of naturally occurring heavy metals in baby food as a result of their presence in the soil, air, and water in which fruits, vegetables, and grains are grown. Earth’s Best products were covered in that report, along with the products of others in our industry. We are disappointed that the report did not provide context for the data it examined, a lot of which is outdated and does not reflect our current practices. The report also inaccurately characterized a meeting with the FDA. Like any food producer, we meet with regulatory and oversight agencies to refine and update our policies and procedures to ensure the safety of our products. As science evolves, so too should our standards and practices, which is why we met with the FDA in 2019 to discuss how to better refine those standards and practices.
Following the meeting, we took several steps to further reduce the levels of heavy metals in our finished products – including no longer using brown rice in our products that are primarily rice based, changing other ingredients and conducting additional testing of finished product before shipping. Meeting with the FDA did what the regulatory process is supposed to: collaboratively drive improvements that benefit the consumer.
Earth’s Best has consistently supported efforts to reduce heavy metals that enter the food supply due to their presence in soil and water, and stands ready to assist in FDA’s efforts toward that goal.
Our consumer care department is available if you have additional questions at 1-800-442-4221
Are there heavy metals in your baby food?
Heavy metals exist in the soil, air and water all around us. Trace amounts of these metals can be absorbed by the fruits, vegetables and grains used to make baby food as they are grown. We follow applicable guidelines recommended by the FDA and Department of Agriculture to screen raw materials and finished products to ensure all food is safe to consume, and meets or exceeds any safety and nutrition standards and to continually develop new safety standards and practices.
ALLERGENS
Do your products contain the 8 major allergens? What is your allergen policy?
We want you to know that we understand the serious nature of food allergens and we strive to eliminate risk for our consumers. Our allergen control program is the most important aspect to our manufacturing process.
We assure you that all manufacturing facilities where Earth’s Best products are produced follow robust allergen control programs that include staff training, segregation of allergen ingredients, production scheduling, and thorough cleaning and sanitation.
Both major and minor ingredients of all products, as well as all processing procedures and equipment, are closely scrutinized. We recommend you refer to the packaging of the individual products for allergen information. By law, we declare all 8 major US food allergens (peanuts, soybeans, milk, eggs, fish, crustaceans, tree nuts, and wheat) on our packaging.
By referencing the strict manufacturing process and production scheduling, does that mean that the product may have been processed on machinery that was thoroughly cleaned but previously processed one of the major allergens?
We don’t have dedicated facilities/equipment to produce products that do not contain allergens, so the machinery may have previously processed a product with a major allergen. All of the manufacturing facilities in which Earth’s Best products are produced follow rigid allergen control programs and we declare all 8 major US food allergens on our package labels. You may wish to review the ingredient statement with your child’s doctor to determine if it’s suitable for your needs.
Are your products gluten free?
Gluten is the general name for the proteins in wheat, rye and barley. Gluten is responsible for forming the structure of dough, holding products together and leavening. We do not have lists of products that are specifically considered to be gluten free. Reading the label is the best way to check for the presence of ingredients which contain gluten. If gluten is a major ingredient, it will be specified in the ingredient list.
Earths Best products that make a gluten-free claim are declared as such by utilizing a triangular Gluten-Free symbol, by carrying the Gluten-Free Certification Organization (GFCO) Seal, or stating “gluten free” on packaging.
In addition to meeting the FDA’s standard for ‘Gluten Free’ of less than 20 parts per million of gluten, all of our gluten free products are formulated without the presence of any gluten containing ingredients. All manufacturing facilities for Hain Celestial’s products employ good manufacturing processes and procedures to prevent allergen cross-contact. Each facility has established rigid allergen control programs that include staff training, segregation of allergen containing ingredients, production scheduling, and thorough cleaning and sanitation. These allergen and sanitation programs are verified annually by our Quality Assurance department.
Gluten-containing ingredients:
Barley, Bulgur, Cereal Binding, Couscous, Durum, Einkorn, Emmer, Filler, Farro, Graham Flour, Kamut, Malt, Malt Extract, Malt Flavoring, Malt Syrup, Oat Bran*, Oats*, Oat Syrup*, Rye, Semolina, Spelt, Triticale, Wheat, Wheat Bran, Wheat Germ, Wheat Starch *Oats are genetically gluten free. It is, however possible for cross contact with gluten containing grains to occur during planting, growing, harvesting and processing. Because of this most oat products sourced from all parts of the world may contain some level of detectible gluten.
PACKAGING
Is there BPA/BPS in your product packaging?
All our Earth’s Best® products are manufactured in non-BPA packaging.
How do I read the expiration date on your products?
In general, our date codes follow a Day, Month, Year format (DD,MMM,YY). The first two numbers in the code represent the day, the next three letters the month, and the next two numbers the year. Any letters and/or numbers following the date code are used for our tracking purposes.
Are your jars recyclable?
Yes, our glass jars are 100% recyclable
Can you make your pouches so they are recyclable?
While our pouches are not currently recyclable, we are actively seeking solutions that will allow our pouches to be recycled.
FORMULA
Where are the Earth’s Best formulas manufactured?
Earth’s Best® organic infant formulas are manufactured and packaged in the USA.
Are your formulas FDA Approved?
All infant formulas must be approved by the FDA before they can be marketed.
For products containing dairy, how are the cows treated and fed?
The dairy ingredients used in our Earth’s Best® organic infant formulas are from cows fed and raised according to organic regulations which include grass fed and organic feed.
Are Earth’s Best infant formulas clinically tested to ensure bioavailability of all nutrients?
All infant formulas are designed to include the nutrients in the amounts listed on the label, providing complete, balanced nutrition for healthy term infants.
Has Earth’s Best Organic® Soy Formula been discontinued?
Due to organic soy supply challenges, our Earth’s Best® plant-based formula product for infants with dairy intolerances was recently reformulated. We changed the source of soy protein from USDA certified organic soy to non GMO sourced soy. Our new product has the same nutritional profile as it did before and provides the same amount of soy protein to support overall growth and development, and DHA and ARA to support brain and eye development. Look for Earth’s Best® Non-GMO Plant Based Formula in stores and online today.
What is the difference between Earth’s Best Organic® Infant Sensitivity® Formula and Earth’s Best Organic Gentle® Formula?
Both Earth’s Best Organic® Infant Sensitivity® and Gentle® Formulas are for babies with intolerance or sensitivity issues who exhibit signs of fussiness, gas and crying. Our Sensitivity formula is a reduced lactose formula with 95% less lactose as compared to standard milk-based formulas. Our Gentle formula contains easy-to-digest proteins including partially hydrolyzed whey. This formula is meant for infants having difficulty digesting proteins. It is the first organic gentle formula available. Both formulas meet FDA requirements for infant nutrition, contain no genetically modified ingredients, are made without prohibited synthetic pesticides or fertilizers, and are produced with milk from grass and grain fed cows not treated with artificial growth hormones or antibiotics.
Does the Soy Formula contain Gluten?
Our Earth’s Best Organic Soy Infant Formula doesn’t contain any gluten containing ingredients. Our manufacturing facilities follow rigid allergen control programs and good manufacturing practices to prevent products from coming into contact with allergens. You may wish to consult with your child’s health care provider regarding the use of this product and any dietary concerns.
Do your products contain brown rice syrup?
Our Earth’s Best Organic® Infant Formulas do not contain brown rice syrup.
What is the purpose of corn syrup solids in your formula?
To support growth and development, the FDA requires infant formulas to contain a certain mix of fats, and proteins as well as vitamins and minerals. Some babies are sensitive to lactose. Our Sensitivity Infant Formula has a reduced level of lactose which is replaced with easy-to-digest corn syrup solids. All Earth’s Best® organic infant formulas meet infant feeding requirements and are made without GMO ingredients.
Are Earth’s Best® Organic Infant Formulas considered vegan?
No, Earth’s Best® Organic Infant Formulas are not vegan.
INFANT FOODS
Why is my banana baby food pink?
Bananas can vary from yellowish-beige to pink in color. It is a natural variance after cooking and still perfectly safe for your child to consume.
Where do you source the ingredients used in your Earth’s Best® Organic Infant Cereals?
Earth’s Best® Infant Cereals predominantly uses ingredients sourced domestically. Products manufactured in the US do not require Country of Origin Labeling.
I left jars/ pouches in the car in the cold and they froze/ ordered them online and they were left on my doorstep in the freezing cold, are they safe for my baby to eat?
Once the products leave our distribution centers, temperature changes in the winter months or in transit can cause some jars to freeze and then thaw, which can result in unusual product texture such as separation and a dry or spongy appearance. There is no food safety issue associated with this, however, we understand if you feel that the texture of the product does not meet the high quality that you have come to expect from us. If you have any further questions, please call us at 1-800-442-4221.
GENERAL FOOD
Where can I purchase your products?
We encourage you to visit the “Find a Store” section of our website. There you can search for specific products in and around your zip code.
Are there any hormones or antibiotics in Earth’s Best chicken?
The chickens used in Earth’s Best® products are not administered antibiotics or hormones.
ORGANIC
Are all Earth’s Best products organic?
Earth’s Best® infant and toddler formulas, infant foods, Sesame Street products and chicken fries are certified USDA organic. Some of our frozen products are not organic but are non-GMO.