Collection: What do all those icons mean?
USDA Certified Organic
When something is labeled USDA Organic, it means that it has passed inspection by the United States Department of Agriculture and been produced through approved methods. USDA Organic label requires that cows are never fed GMOs, and are not given any hormones or antibiotics. Also, no pesticides or chemical fertilizers are used on the cows' feed. The USDA Organic label also requires that foods are processed without the use of ionizing radiation or food additives. Read more about USDA Organic here.
Grassfed
Grass-fed cows are pasture-raised and eat what nature intended them to eat: Grass. Our ghee is made with milk obtained only during spring through fall, when the cows are out to pasture eating fresh green grass. A small portion of the cows' diet may include certified organic, 100% GMO-free feeds, including grains, per their needs. We don't make a 100% Grassfed claim. USDA Organic label requires that cows are never fed GMOs, and are not given any hormones or antibiotics. Also, no pesticides or chemical fertilizers are used on the cows' feed. The milk comes small family farms in the USA that have many different breeds of the cows, all of which are grassfed and raised organically. Grassfed milk contains fat-soluble vitamins and naturally occurring Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA). Our ghee is Certified Organic by New Jersey Department of Agriculture (NJDA).
Grass-fed Benefits
More Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) Pasture-grazed cows have more CLA in their milk than grain fed cows and our lab tests show our ghee has more CLA than plain butter. CLA is an essential fatty acid that has been getting a lot of attention lately.
Ratio of Omega-6 and Omega-3 Fats
Research indicates that if the ratio of Omega-6/Omega-3 in your food exceeds 4:1 then it may not be good for you. This ratio is around 3:1 for grass-fed animals and over 20:1 for grain-fed animals, since grass is rich in Omega-3 and grains have higher Omega-6. So eating more grass-fed products helps you maintain the right balance of Omega-6 and Omega-3 fatty acids.
Are Grassfed Products Safer?
Most of the conventional cows are fed large amounts of grains (primarily corn), soy and other supplements to increase milk production and decrease cost. They are kept in crowded feedlots and don’t get the opportunity to roam freely and peacefully in the sun and eat high-fiber green grass. This makes them vulnerable to various diseases, so they are often given antibiotics in their daily feed to prevent this. Read more here.
Go Green Grass-fed dairies are generally small. They promote harmony between the land and the animals. They support biodiversity and reduce waste. They work in a sustainable manner and are good for our environment.
Gluten-Free
Gluten is a general name for the proteins found in varieties of wheat, rye, and barley, as well as other foods. Gluten acts as a "glue" or binder that helps foods maintain their shape.
For a food to be labeled as gluten-free, the FDA states that it must contain no more than 20 parts per million (ppm) of gluten. The choice of 20 ppm rather than zero ppm is because current technology cannot reliably measure gluten presence below 20ppm. Evidence suggests that trace amounts of gluten, defined as up to 20 ppm, do not have adverse health effects on people with celiac disease. However, those wishing to avoid gluten altogether are better off consuming naturally gluten-free foods.
Whole30 Approved®
The Whole30 Approved® label is designed to let you know a product is 100% compliant with the rules of our Whole30 program. Furthermore, all Whole30 Approved products containing animal protein have met the established Animal Welfare Standards, as created in partnership with the ASPCA. Learn more about Whole30® Approval here.
Certified Ketogenic
The ketogenic diet is a low-carb, high-fat diet that forces the body to burn fats rather than carbohydrates. When a food is labeled Keto, it means that the product is in line with the standards of the ketogenic diet. The products with this label have been Certified Ketogenic by the Ketovangelist organization. Learn More Here.
AIP
The AIP diet provides balanced and complete nutrition while avoiding processed and refined foods as well as empty calories. As such, it places greater emphasis on the most nutrient-dense foods in our food supply.
When a food is labeled AIP, it means that the product is in line with the standards of the Autoimmune Protocol.
Non-Gmo
The World Health Organization defines genetically modified organisms (GMOs) as “organisms in which the genetic material (DNA) has been altered in a way that does not occur naturally.” Most GMO food crops are altered so that they can withstand being sprayed with chemical weed killer. This means that for dairy products that contain GMOs, the animals are eating GMO crops for their feed. This is not good as the health of the animal is affected by these GMO crops!
The Non-GMO label means that none of the ingredients in the given product have been altered in any unnatural way. Our government does not currently require GMO foods to be labeled so having the Non GMO label on foods is very important for discerning which products are genetically modified or not.
Non-Irradiated
Almost all spices on the market, unless specifically stated as “non-irradiated” have undergone a process of ionized radiation in order to increase shelf life. During this process, most of the valuable, even medicinal, qualities are purged. This leaves the consumer with a degenerated food product, and may even contain carcinogenic chemicals as a by-product.
When a product is labeled Non-irradiated, it means that it does not undergo the process of radiation.
Batch Tested for:
Casein
Casein is a protein that is found in milk. Some people are allergic to this specific protein, which is why we batch-test for casein levels in our Cultured Ghee products. When a product has this label, it means that it has been batch-tested to contain no more than 2.5 ppm casein/whey.
Lactose
Lactose is a sugar that is found in milk that can cause indigestion for many people. When a product has this label, it means that it has been batch-tested to contain no more than 0.25% lactose.
Wildcrafted
This label means the product is not cultivated through farming. Instead, the product is made from wild plants.
