The company’s production facilities are among the most advanced in the world and they conform to both ISO 9002 and GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) standards.
At its state-of-the-art manufacturing base in Northern Israel Garden Gourmet is dedicated to extensive Research & Development. This commitment ensures innovative product development and the creation of high quality, healthy convenience foods for the chilled and frozen meat free sector.
Partially, Garden Gourmet products produced in the factory in Israel and sold under the Garden Gourmet brand are Kosher (not if dual branded or sold under another name). The Osem Group observes the laws of kashrut according to the Halacha (Jewish religious law). The laws of kashrut are meticulously applied throughout the sourcing and production procedures of the different items manufactured in the IL production plant. Kosher information can be found on the packaging where relevant. Products from the CZ factory are not Kosher.
Yes. Both Garden Gourmet production sites are non-GMO. The sourcing of all the ingredients used (including soy) is done according to the EU regulation requirements and followings Nestle’s procedures for suppliers approval and raw materials quality assurance.
No, the Garden Gourmet factory is located in North Israel in Kibbutz Lochamei Hagetaot in unoccupied territory, established after 1948-50. No ingredients are cultivated in the occupied territory.
As a Global Player in the meat free category - Garden Gourmet focuses on delivering superior products to the Global consumer. Garden Gourmet sticks to her business and refrains from any political views.
Products are meat free / 100% vegetarian Garden Gourmet products (in EU) do not contain preservatives Spices are not radiated No addition of monosodium glutamate MSG nor nucleotides (flavour enhancers) Products are based on soy or vegetables. Garden Gourmet’s meat analogs are generally lower in fat content compared to the equivalent meat products. Most of our products contain no cholesterol and saturated fats (those with cheese do contain small amounts of the above) Garden Gourmet products are flash-fried and then baked. Consequently, a very short frying time can be used, which imparts the textural (crispy) and visual characteristics to the products without the significant addition of fat.
Increasing levels of diet related diseases such as cancer, heart disease and obesity have lead people to think more carefully about the food they eat. Many people are looking to reduce their red meat intake as part of a healthier diet and are looking for easy meat free solutions. Please refer to the advantages of our vegetarian items listed above. In addition, people are becoming more conscious about sustainability and the environment. Soy has been shown to be up to 17 times more efficient than meat in water and energy consumption and significantly lower in greenhouse gases production. Garden Gourmet offers non-vegetarians a meat style alternative that is healthy, tasty and environmentally friendly.
Overall, concerning product cost, one should not compare meat free products with meat. Meat free products are not an "assembly" of different raw materials but a unique technology that is basically able to combine three different non-meat proteins (soy, wheat and egg) and convert them to a tasty, less fatty, wholesome and convenient center of the plate item. Meat, on the other hand, is a commodity made of 1 ingredient with limited handling and no cooking processes required. Garden Gourmet meat-free products are made with the highest quality ingredients including non-GMO soy, wheat gluten and egg albumen, oil, spices and flavorings. For a number of our products vegetables and cheese are combined. Each of these ingredients has its own changing market price. In the past 25 years we, as category leaders, we have continuously innovated and renovated so as to improve these products even more. Hence the pricing of meat-free products should not be compared to meat commodities, but rather to other prepared ready to eat foods.
Garden Gourmet has dedicated many years to the development and production of meat replacement products, with a view to supporting a tasty, nutritious and sustainable eating pattern. We see that more people want to limit their meat intake, so we decided to take the lead in the category and offer a tasty, versatile and innovative range of meat-free products, all ‘made for trying’. Our meat-free products will surprise you in taste and excitement. Garden Gourmet turns your meat-free intake into an experience!
In 1985, members of Kibbutz Lochamei Hageta’ot in Israel started Garden Gourmet with a pioneering meat free product range. Garden Gourmet quickly established itself as a household name with its still popular “corn schnitzel” in Israel. In 1989, Garden Gourmet started exporting products to Europe and has played an important role in the development of the meat-free market across Europe. For over 30 years, the most credible company with expertise in developing and producing delicious plant-based meat alternatives, supported by 150 years of Nestlé know-how. Since 2017 Osem is owned 100% by Nestle.
Garden Gourmet is a blend of our two major brand values: Garden refers to the freshness of our products; mainly plant-based, straight from the garden and made from ingredients you know and recognize. Gourmet is the international reference for taste, and is the essential primary condition for our recipes that will be acknowledged in all our European markets. Garden Gourmet simply stands for tasty vegetarian products made from ingredients you know.
Garden Gourmet’s product portfolio consists of four categories: •Daily favorites –in this category you will find a wide range of meat alternatives, such as vegetarian burgers, meatballs, sausages and more.. •Veggie Creations -a surprising range consists of vegetables, combined with legumes, grains or cheese. Examples in this category are lentil burgers, Greek rondo and vegetable balls. •Cook’s ingredients -basic vegetarian ingredients that are suitable for making your own vegetarian dishes, like mince, filet pieces and shawarma. •Mezze selection -an authentic Mezze selection that contains all kinds of falafels with a twist: beetroot falafel, spinach falafel and spicy falafel.
UK, Ireland, The Netherlands, Israel, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Iceland, Italy, Belgium, Luxembourg, France and Spain. Garden Gourmet is sold through grocery stores, health food chains, delicatessens and kosher stores under the brand names Garden Gourmet, Hälsans Kök (Nordic). Please see our ‘where to buy’ section on the website. If you are having problems finding a particular Garden Gourmet product in your area, please contact us through the contact form and we will be happy to advise.
Garden Gourmet’s expertise started 30 years ago in Israel. Here the typical regional ‘Levantine cuisine’ was embraced and developed into the first meat-free product ranges, mainly including hummus and falafel. Nowadays, production takes place in the Czech Republic and a small percentage in Israel (non-occupied territory). The company’s headquarters is based in the Netherlands.
Garden Gourmet has 2 sites of production to service worldwide global demand – one in Czech Republic, servicing majority of products sold in Europe, and one in Israel. Based on capacity and global demand, production site for products can change. All hot-dogs and sausages are currently produced in the IL site.
Garden Gourmet sources ingredients mainly from Europe, Israel, USA, Canada, Southern Brazil and some parts of China. We have complete information of the countries of origin per ingredient with full documentation. Ingredients (ambient and frozen) are shipped via sea containers to Garden Gourmet production plants. We are continuously working in order to localize our sourcing of raw materials.
Some products (the ones not Kitchen Cupboard yet) yes. Vegan products are not allowed to contain egg. To maintain the appreciated firmness of our products we replaced the egg by methylcellulose; a stabilizer derived from cellulose. Many vegetarian and vegan products contain methylcellulose. Consumers are satisfied with the replacement of egg by methylcellulose. Most important for them is the availably of more tasty, vegan food.
Garden Gourmet does not check the copper level in the products nor does Garden Gourmet enrich any products with copper. Some products may contain vegetables and seeds that may naturally contain copper (crimini mushrooms, turnip greens, chard, spinach, sesame seeds, mustard greens, kale, summer squash, asparagus, eggplants, peppermint, tomatoes, sunflower seeds, ginger, green beans, potato, etc.). Consumers should carefully refer to the ingredient list of the products for any of these ingredients.
No. All Garden Gourmet products contain some Gluten. In the factory, it is not possible to completely separate production of gluten-free products and products containing gluten. So, there may be traces of gluten in all products. We declare the presence of gluten according to the most updated EU legislations. Note: Garden Gourmet products are not suitable for celiac sufferers.
Carcinogenic compounds are known to be formed when char-grilling meat. They are produced by two processes: first, from the smoke created by the burning wood or char, and second – by fat dripping from the meat, getting burned, evaporating and then being absorbed by the meat again. The char grilling marks on Garden Gourmet products are not created in this way. They are formed when the products pass through a corrugated hot steel drum, leaving scorching marks on the product. There is no smoke from burning wood or chars in the process, and of course there is no meat fat (the product is vegetarian…). Based on this information we believe there are no carcinogenic compounds (or any other harmful compounds) in our products.
Tofu is a soft “cheese–like” food made by curdling soy milk. Garden Gourmet uses textured Soy as ingredient because it has a firmer and more "meat like" texture. The taste is also different. Garden Gourmet does not use Tofu as an ingredient.
Maltodextrin is a form of starch in which the carbohydrate chains are shorter. It is used mainly as a filler to blend spices or other ingredients which are used in small quantities so they are evenly mixed with other ingredients.
In our factory we do not use chemicals while producing the products. The soy we buy is non-GMO. For this reason Round Up pesticide can't be used while growing it. We are purchasing only non-GMO raw materials and carry-out periodical Quality Assurance tests to confirm there are no pesticide residues in our raw materials and finished products in accordance with all the relevant legislations.
Yes, some products do not contain Soy as an ingredient. However, they may in fact contain traces of Soy and are not suitable for those who are allergic to Soy. We are not able to completely separate the production lines which produce Soy and non-Soy products. We declare the presence of soy according to the most updated EU legislations.
Garden Gourmet understands consumer demand for clean labeling and therefore introduced their Kitchen Cupboard products. These products are based on simplified recipes and made from recognizable ingredients. To meet the new Kitchen Cupboard standard, Garden Gourmet is reviewing its complete product portfolio, eliminating ingredients like maltodextrine, dextrose, glucose syrup, modified starches, stabilizers, artificial colors, thickeners and emulsifiers and replacing them with ingredients you know and might use in your own kitchen. Simply good food you can trust, without any secrets.
Soybeans are very nutritious as they are rich in protein. For example, whole boiled soybeans (100 grams) contain Manganese, Selenium, Copper, Potassium, Phosphorus, Magnesium, Iron, Calcium, Vitamin B6, Folate, Riboflavin (B2), Thiamin (B1), Vitamin K, 173calories (of which 9 grams of fat, 10 grams of carbs (6 of which are fibers) and 17 grams of protein. Soybeans might not be as nutritious as meat or eggs, but they are healthier than most other plant-based proteins.
Yes, some products contain aritifical flavourings. According to the current legislation (Regulation (EC) N° 1334 of the European Parliament and of the Council on flavorings and certain food ingredients with flavoring properties for use in and on foodstuffs) we use both natural flavors and “Flavoring substances” (no distinction is made between nature-identical and artificial flavoring substances).
Carrageenan. Carrageenan is a natural stabilizer based on kinds of red edible seaweeds. We use this more often in our products (not sure about more often, this needs to be checked if we want to be accurate). By adding carrageenan we ensure our products stay fresh for a longer period to provide optimal taste and user experience.
No. Our factories do not process peanuts or nuts. In the year 2007 we have adapted some recipes to make sure that our products do not contain any traces of peanuts and nuts.
Today, there is a growing demand from consumers for more authenticity and transparency. “What is my food made of?”, “Where do the ingredients come from?”, “How is it processed?” These are questions today’s consumers are asking themselves more and more. Transparency is becoming a hygiene factor for Food Brands. According to Innova Research, three-quarters of consumers in the United States claim to read the nutritional and ingredient labels of food products, and nearly as many “strongly agree” that it is important for food labels to contain mostly recognizable ingredients. Ninety-one per cent of U.S. consumers believe food and beverage options with recognizable ingredients are healthier. Following this clean label demand, Garden Gourmet has launched its Kitchen Cupboard strategy and by the end of 2018 most of the portfolio will be clean label.
Research shows that there is no difference between fermented and unfermented soy products in terms of health. Phytate, present in unfermented soy, is a natural substance, which can also be found in other legumes, such as the garden pea. Garden Gourmet uses unfermented soy that is processed (cooked) before use, because just like other beans, soybeans cannot be eaten raw. By cooking the soybean, the phytate turns inactive in order to avoid interference with mineral absorption. Why does Garden Gourmet use eggs in their products? In recent years, Garden Gourmet has offered vegan products, in which egg was replaced with methyl cellulose: a stabilizer derived from cellulose. However, because Garden Gourmet committed itself to only develop clean label products (Kitchen Cupboard*). The complete product portfolio will be reviewed in terms of familiar and transparent ingredients. In order to meet this standard, it was necessary to use barn eggs instead of artificial stabilizers like methyl cellulose for a good texture. This means some of the products will be ‘de-veganized’. Garden Gourmet is of course experimenting with new and improved recipes every day, to strive towards Kitchen Cupboard and vegan-proof products in the near future.
HVP (Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein) is a traditional food ingredient with savory meat-like flavor. HVP is produced by processing of proteins derived from soy, wheat and/or maize. It is used in a wide range of foods, especially soups/stock cubes, gravy powders, snack foods and condiments.
No, we use only Soy Protein from Soy beans that are not genetically engineered / modified, in accordance to EU regulation (EC/1829/2003, EU/1830/2003). Our soy beans are non-GMO (genetically modified), IP (identity preserved) certified. These beans are grown according to Nestlé’s sustainability guidelines. Soybeans are grown in the Midwest of the United States, Canada and South Brazil. All Garden Gourmet suppliers are certified and preserve the rainforest (so soybeans are never grown in the Amazon, for example), and they only purchase environmentally friendly soy.
Most Garden Gourmet products contain garlic powder to help boost the savoury flavor of our products. If garlic (or garlic powder) is in the product this is clearly labelled in the ingredients list. It is worth noting that Garlic is not considered as an allergen. Some people might have intolerances to garlic. In the UK only the Sweetcorn Grill does not contain garlic. In the Netherlands the following products do not contain garlic: Bacon, Organic vegetable burger, Bratworst, Provençale carré, Spinazie & Cheese.
We eliminated ingredients like maltodextrine, glucose syrup, modified starches, artificial colors, thickeners and emulsifiers, and replaced them with ingredients you know and might use in your own kitchen. Examples of these are eggs and apple puree.
Gluten is the protein fraction in Wheat. In Garden Gourmet products, Gluten is combined with Soy protein in order to get a balanced protein. It supplies the body with all the necessary amino acids. Our factory is not 100% gluten free. We cannot guarantee for 100% that there will be no single trace of this allergen somewhere in our factory. The good news is that the vegan society recognizes our product as vegan, so we use this logo.
No, Garden Gourmet does not add Lysine or any other amino-acids to our products. However, lysine may be present in some products if it comes from other ingredients, flavors or HVP. Garden Gourmet has not analyzed the products for the presence of lysine, so we do not know that lysine is not present.
Our soy suppliers are 3 very big companies Solae, ADM, Soy protein. Our soy is grown in South America, US, and Canada.
Yes. Many of our products do not contain dairy ingredients. In Holland, you will see the icon "milk free". For example: Meat Balls, Falafel, Grilled Fillet, Schnitzel, Hamburger, Sausages, Nuggets, Mince, Grilled Chicken Pieces and many of our vegetable products which don’t contain cheese. If products do contain milk it will be noted on the allergen list. Also, our allergy advice on the pack says "Milk" whenever it is present. If a consumer has lactose intolerance, he/she should avoid products which contain dairy ingredients.
Due to the change of ingredients to make the products Kitchen Cupboard-proof, small changes might occur to the nutritional value of the products. Garden Gourmet has also decided to no longer enrich their products with iron and B12, since research shows fortification is becoming less relevant to consumers. Lastly, in order to make Kitchen Cupboard-proof products, Garden Gourmet needed to add in some of the products barn egg instead of artificial stabilizers for a good texture. This means that some of the products will be ‘de-veganized’. Garden Gourmet is of course experimenting with new and improved recipes every day, to strive towards Kitchen Cupboard and vegan-proof products in the near future.
Soy protein contains a significant amount of the essential amino acids. Essential amino acids are so called not because they are more important to life than the others, but because the body does not synthesize them, making it essential to include them in one's diet in order to obtain them. The amino acid composition of all our meat like products is similar to the composition of meat, as contributed by the three proteins added to our products - Soy, Wheat & Egg white (Albumen).
Spices and Flavours in use in Garden Gourmet products are made of ingredients similar to those in nature. Spices are not radiated. In many of our products we use flavours that imitate meat flavours, but they are vegetable based. They do not contain any meat origin ingredient.
As said, the beans are bought from the highest quality suppliers in the world which works according to the highest standards in the Global food industry and is extremely selective about the quality of its own suppliers. As a result, Endosulfan, Methamidophos and Acephate are not detected in Solae's beans and proteins. Paraquat is usually used for GM soy. However, all soy used in Garden Gourmet products is non-GMO.
The following products are free from potato and potato elements: Biological Vegetable Burger, Garden Gourmet Bratwurst, Greek Burger, Spinach & Cheese Burger, Toscan Pesto Carre. On the back side of the packages you will find a complete statement of ingredients.
This is not recommended. The product should be warmed according to the instructions on the packaging. Mince and MUST be heated before consumption according to the instructions in the pack.
It is possible that some of our products contain vegetarian protein hydrolysate and/or yeasts. You can find the ingredients list on Garden Gourmet’s product packaging. If vegetarian protein hydrolysate or yeast is mentioned, there is a minimal amount of naturally occurring glutamic acid in these ingredients. Protein hydrolysates and yeasts provide the meaty notes to our meat-analog products.
Some of Garden Gourmet products contain sugar as an ingredient to provide a special and more balanced flavor profile. "Sugar" can also be added as Dextrose (=Glucose), which are usually used to blend the spices. The amount of them is only about 1-3%. The value of sugar declared in the nutritional table includes the naturally occurring sugars present in the vegetables we use. People with blood sugar concerns should consider the total carbohydrate content of our products (as appears on the nutritional table on the pack) and consult with their Physician.
Solae Core Values and Code of conduct (social and environmental) The core values of Solae are the cornerstone of what they stand for. They are: Safety and Health: Solae adheres to the highest standards to ensure the health and safety of their employees, customers, and the people of the communities in which they operate. Environmental Stewardship: Solae protects the environment and strengthen their businesses by making environmental issues an integral part of all business activities. They continuously strive to align their actions with public expectations. Highest Ethical Behavior: Solae conducts their business affairs to the highest ethical standards and incompliance with all applicable laws. They work diligently to be a respected corporate citizen worldwide. Respect for People: Solae fosters an environment in which every employee is treated with respect and dignity.
People who are sensitive to Gluten or Soy may suffer fullness and gas after eating Garden Gourmet products. Hidden sensitivity may appear in cases of an intestine disease or weakness of the immune system of the intestine. In such cases these consumers may not have complete digestion of the food and the undigested portion of the food can be fermented by the bacteria naturally present in the colon and cause bloating or a bloating feeling.
Quality and Food Safety, Employee Health and Safety, and Environmental Protection are a way of life for the Osem Group. The Company is committed to develop, produce and market quality products which are safe for the consumers and which meet local and international standards. Production is in accordance with principles of environmental policy, employee health and safety, and in line with Osem Group values and ethical codes. This Policy will be achieved by realization of the following targets: Everybody’s Commitment: It is the responsibility of each Manager and Employee of the Osem Group to ensure quality of processes and products, safety of the workers and environmental protection. Each Manager must be a role model. Reaching targets, measuring achievements and recognizing success, are basic requirements for promoting personal responsibility by all Company employees. Consumer Trust & Preference: The Osem Group analyzes the needs and expectations of customers and consumers, and implements preference tests with the aim of ensuring products which have a sensory and nutritional advantage. Osem is meticulous about reliable information transmitted on the packages and to the media. The Company’s suppliers are partners in the success and we are working continuously to improve their performance and mutual communication. Zero-Defects Aspiration to achieve zero injuries, damages, incidents, and losses: Continuous improvement and striving for excellence constitute the central value in all fields of our activities. We act to identify and prevent hazardous causes in both quality and safety, to implement advanced methods for saving on materials, energy and water, and are strict about appropriate work environments. Food Safety & Full Compliance: The Osem Group works in accordance with regulatory requirements and additional demands which concern food safety, health and safety in the work place, and protection of the environment. To ensure the transparency of our activities, and as part of the policy of continuous improvement, the different sites of the Group are regularly audited by external third party companies. Full commitment, motivation and a high level of professionalism of all the Managers and Employees are key factors for successful implementation of this Policy.
Albumen is the egg’s protein present in the white part. We use Albumen to give our products a solid and appealing texture. Egg Albumen is one of the foundations that provide the structure of Garden Gourmet products. It is the agent that coagulates during heat-treatment and makes the difference between a paté (spread) to patty (a solid structure). We do have the ability to make solid products without egg albumen, but based on our experience, the texture is inferior.
Although Garden Gourmet does not add Fructose to any of our products, Fructose occurs naturally in most vegetables, including soy. We know that our soy-based products contain about 0.5% - 1% Fructose (naturally occurring). We assume our vegetable based products may contain a similar, if not higher, amount of Fructose as it occurs naturally in vegetables.
Garden Gourmet considers sustainability an important focus. We have energy saving factories which reduce the amount of methane used. We strive for continuously reducing the amount of water and energy used in the production of our products. We have waste water treatment plants.
Soy protein concentrate contains a lower quantity of vitamin B1 (~0.3mg/100g) compared to soy flour (0.4-1.1 mg/100g). In Garden Gourmet products the quantity of vitamin B1 is even lower (>0.1mg/100g) therefore our product cannot be considered as a good source of vitamin B1 for a person suffering from deficiency. Other foods that may be considered a better source for vitamin B1 are: sunflower seeds, oat bran, lentils, pecan nuts, whole rice.
All our products for EU market - both prived labels and our own brands - contain Barn Egg White powder. The chickens live in groups in a barn. They are not caged and run around freely in the barn (not outside). The chickens have perches, platforms and nesting houses, are fed healthy food and receive no antibiotics. For other countries we use egg white powder from hens raised in cages.
Some of Garden Gourmet’s products do contain milk e.g. products which contain cheese. However, before producing vegetarian products, a thorough cleaning is done on the production lines after a production run with dairy products. Periodic samples are taken to make sure that no milk remnants find their way to non-dairy products. All tests taken from Garden Gourmet are found suitable according to the generally recognized Maximum allowed Values (Nestle limit for milk: 3 mg casein/kg product or 10 mg MSK/kg product). All products containing milk or traces of it are labeled according to the relevant regulations.
Soy has been classified as a ‘superfood’ due to its phytochemical content. These strong antioxidants have been shown to be beneficial to health, reducing the risk of heart disease, osteoporosis and cancer. The Soy ingredients used in Garden Gourmet are considered to be healthy. They are high in protein, fibre and calcium, and low in fat and salt, with no cholesterol. Consuming just 25g a day has been proved to help reduce total cholesterol, will benefit the heart and blood pressure and help protect against osteoporosis.
According to our nutrition consultant, the carbohydrate limit for diabetic persons is 15 grams of carbohydrates per serving. According to this definition, most of Garden Gourmet products are suitable as they contain between 2.5-11 grams of carbohydrates per serving. However, breaded products such as schnitzel and nuggets and products which contain corn can easily contain higher levels of carbohydrates. Please consult the labels carefully.
Garden Gourmet’s meat free substitute products are specially designed to be a source of protein and to provide all the amino acids necessary for a healthy meat free diet. They contain natural sources of egg protein, soy protein and wheat protein. Garden Gourmet also produces products created from beans and vegetables with their inherent nutritional advantages.
No. We do not use any preservatives. We buy mainly frozen and dry ingredients and monitor pesticides usage.
The cheese we use in our products is made with high quality milk and is suitable for vegetarians. The enzyme used for its production (Rennet) is from microbial origin. Rennet is a natural complex of enzymes used in the production of cheese that coagulates the milk, causing it to separate into solids and liquids.
Garden Gourmet products were tested for the presence of phytoestrogens, and found to have extremely low levels of phytoestrogens (PPMs only). The amount is so low, that if Garden Gourmet wished to claim their presence (as possible in the US), we would not be eligible to do so. Phytoestrogens are removed from the soy ingredients used by Garden Gourmet during their production process. It is true that phytoestrogens are the most controversial issue among the scientific community. However, most agree that their benefits in reducing menopausal side-effects are proven. It is also agreed that soy phytoestrogens are not recommended for women with medical history of breast cancer of a certain type in their families. Other women, who are healthy and do not have such family history, can only gain from consuming fresh soy products, like soy milk and Tofu, that are naturally rich in soy phytoestrogens.
No. Garden Gourmet products contain the allergen gluten. The ingredient wheat is essential for Garden Gourmet products because it provides the unique structure, mainly in the meat-analogs. We declare the presence of gluten according to the latest EU legislation.
The making of vegetarian meat begins with soy beans. They are small, light yellow beans, which contain a significant amount of protein and other nutrients (carbohydrates and oil). In their natural state, they are hard. After all the oil is extracted from the soy beans, the remaining proteins are cooked via a unique process. Beans and water are put into a large pressure-cooker called an extruder. After they are cooked, the mix of protein, carbohydrates and water comes out puffed like little sponges. This is the state at which the soy raw material arrives at the Garden Gourmet factories. This material is commonly known as TVP (Texturized Vegetable Protein) and is widely used in the meat analog industry. At Garden Gourmet, the TVP is mixed with water so they become soft. They are chopped and then mixed with wheat protein (gluten), egg white protein, water, salt, and spices to add flavor and sometimes also vegetables. The “matrix” is then formed into products i.e. schnitzel, balls, burgers or hot dogs. Most products are then briefly fried or coated with bread crumbs and then fried and baked in an oven above pasteurization temperature, frozen and then packaged. “Mince” products do not undergo a thermal treatment in our factories.
Yes. We use not natural (artificial) colors in some of our sausages. Iron Oxide – to obtain the pink color in hot-dogs. We use them to make our products as similar as possible to the real meat ones. Some of the products contain coloring from natural sources. It can be brown (malt extract) in the burgers, beet extract or grape-skin extract in the sausages, and yellow (turmeric) in some of the vegetable-based products.
Yes.
Trypsin inhibitors are found in raw soy only. They are easily neutralized by a wet cooking process. All soy ingredients used by Garden Gourmet are produced using heat and humidity, so NO trypsin inhibitors are left active in them.
Yes. Some AH/Garden Gourmet products do not contain egg or milk in their ingredients: Falafel, Pate, Mince, lentil burger, quinoa kale burger. However, since we use “egg-white” in almost all other products, we cannot completely exclude the possibility of traces of egg-white in the rest of our products. This is clearly indicated in the allergens in the corresponding items.
At Garden Gourmet we concentrate on using the best ingredients available to produce affordable, tasty and nutritionally balanced products for a wide range of people. Many of our products are based on soy and we have found that the availability and pricing of organic soy is prohibitive to making our products affordable.
Barley Malt is a natural food colour extracted from barley.
There is no fish gelatin in Garden Gourmet products.
Vitamin B12 cannot be found in soy, it is found only in animal sources. The vitamin B12 in Garden Gourmet products is coming from enrichment. According to all the tests we do, we know that Vitamin B12 in Garden Gourmet products survives the production process, and reaches the consumer at the levels stated on the pack.
No. Almost all of our products contain Albumen. The Albumen is an important component that contributes to the optimal texture of our products. We cannot completely segregate production of Albumen-Free products and all other products. As a result we may have traces of albumen in a product that does not contain it as an ingredient. We declare the presence of eggs according to the latest EU legislation.
Yes, the frankfurters and sausages are steamed and the “mince” and ground products are uncooked. Most products go through a very short “quick frying” process which gives the product a crispy outside. This is then followed by baking which completes the cooking on the inside. This process ensures minimal oil absorption. The “bacon”, cold cuts, pate and chicken pieces do not undergo any frying process.
Annatto is natural food color, usually available in hard cheese. Garden Gourmet does not add any Annatto to our products. If present, it comes from the cheese.
Garden Gourmet does not enrich its products with Vitamin K. Some ingredients such as green vegetables (Spinach and Broccoli) contain Vitamin K naturally, and Garden Gourmet does not measure the total amount of Vitamin K in the final product. Consumers using blood thinning medications should consult a physician.
Garden Gourmet meat analogs contain Soy. Soy has been classified as a ‘superfood’ due to its phytochemical content. These strong antioxidants have been shown to be beneficial to health, reducing the risk of heart disease, osteoporosis and cancer Garden Gourmet meat analogs have a relatively high content of proteins. Soy protein is considered to be very healthy. The soy used is high in protein, fibre and calcium, and low in fat and salt, with no cholesterol. Consuming just 25g a day has been proven to help reduce total cholesterol, will benefit the heart and blood pressure and help protect against Osteoporosis Garden Gourmet meat analogs contain a balanced protein mix which contains all of the essential amino acids (essential because they are not synthesized within the body). Garden Gourmet products have a natural occurrence of vitamins and minerals, although we do not separately declare it. Some of our items are a source of fibers Contain less salt and saturated fatty acids than comparable meat products and do not contain cholesterol (apart from cheese containing items).
Yes, after the age of 1 year old. However, Garden Gourmet products are not suitable for children under 1 year of age. There are three possible concerns: 1) The protein used in Garden Gourmet products may not be easy to digest in young babies. In order to produce some Garden Gourmet products, the soy is subjected to a heat treatment in order to achieve the unique structure for this product. Due to the extensive heat treatment a protein is being generated that is not easily digested by babies. 2) There could be a possible allergy to soy. However, for many years now, babies receive milk substitutes based on soy and in Asia babies are being fed tofu or other soy products as soon as they start eating. So, there is no real evidence why babies shouldn't be given soy. 3) Garden Gourmet products contain a small amount of added salt. They are not designed for babies. In some countries legislation is in place that denotes food designed for babies under 12 months old is not allowed to include salt. We recommend waiting until a child is 1 year old before they consume Garden Gourmet products.
Garden Gourmet uses sunflower oil and canola oil. Both oils share the lowest amount of saturated fat amongst vegetable oils. They are especially suitable for frying and maintain a light color and bland flavor. This is essential to having a minimal impact on the fresh flavors of our products. Olive oil is not suitable for frying. Furthermore it has a very distinctive taste that would affect the flavor of our products.
Stabilizers are used to improve the texture of products and to bind ingredients. Some of the stabilizers are natural as Guar Gum. Guar is a plant grown in India and the ingredient we use is produced by milling to obtain the guar gum. Methyl Cellulose is a chemical compound derived from cellulose. Sodium Alginate it is used in some of our products. It is a polysaccharide coming from the cell walls of brown algae.
Products are not enriched anymore with vitamin B12 and Iron
Garden Gourmet uses mainly Pea, cellulose, citrus and Inulin fibers. Fibers in general possess many positive health characteristics. All of them are based on the fact that fibres are attached to various food components, and can either help them travel through the body for better dispersion or they can help unnecessary food components out of the body. Below are some facts regarding fibres: Fibres slow down the absorption of the food into the body They provide a sensation of satiety, and hence are extremely important for successful weight-loss They balance blood sugar and fat levels Fibres improve mineral absorption Fibres have low energetic value, they contain, in average, only 2kcal per gram (half the calories of other carbohydrates). They are hardly digested and help clean fats, toxins and other unwanted food elements out from the body.
In normal circumstances, there should be no reason to avoid Garden Gourmet products during pregnancy. However, if there are concerns, please consult a physician.
Olive oil is not suitable for frying. Furthermore it has a very distinctive taste that would affect the flavor of our products.
Xanthan gum is a natural gum used in the food industry as a thickener that creates a smooth texture, especially in ice-cream and soup. We use it in selected products e.g. sausages. It is polysaccharide secreted by the bacterium Xanthomonas campestris.
No. Garden Gourmet products do not add Nitrites & Nitrates. Nitrate is used in meat products and is not allowed to be added to meat-analogs. Some ingredients such as vegetables (celery) contain nitrate naturally.
Please note that in the new regulation starting December 2014 it is not possible to indicate TFA (Trans Fatty Acids) in the nutritional table. On most Garden Gourmet product packaging 0.2 gram Trans Fat is CURRENTLY mentioned. Most Garden Gourmet products are fried in Sunflower or canola oil for approximately 30-60 seconds and then baked. During the short process of frying in vegetable oil, Trans Fat naturally forms. The oil itself does not contain these fats and in the entire production process no hydrogenated fats are involved. With most products, this percentage stays beneath the 0.2%. Legally we are not required to label this since the quantity is regarded as negligible. However, we believe in being transparent and provide our consumers with the most relevant nutritional information so they can make the best choices.
The egg-white we use does not contain the natural hormone estrogen. Garden Gourmet products contain soy ingredients that are mostly free from hormone or hormone-like compounds. However, some soy ingredients may contain low amounts of naturally occurring phyto-nutrients that may have hormone-like activities. The amounts are very low, so that their presence cannot be claimed nor can any benefits from their natural activity.
The casing used for Garden Gourmet sausages is made of artificial cellulose. The casing cannot be digested by our body and is therefore completely removed from the sausage after production. The process utilized is the same as used in the meat industry to produce meat sausages.
Garden Gourmet uses both Methyl Cellulose (MC) and Guar Gum (GG). These two have different functions: Methyl Cellulose is a stabilizer (it creates gel), and guar gum is a thickener (it helps the product hold together). MC and GG cannot be substituted for one another. MC is usually not known by consumers, in many markets it is declared by its E-number (E461) rather than by name. GG is more well known, is natural, and it is usually declared by name, although it has an E-number as well (E412). Hydroxy-propyl Methyl Cellulose is a completely different ingredient and we do not use it in any Garden Gourmet products.
We don't fortify our products with potassium or phosphor. If the products contain these minerals, the level is extremely low and it is a result of their natural occurrence in the ingredients we use. In testing a variety of our products, we obtained the following results: - Phosphor: an average of 0.15 gr per 100 gr product. - Potassium: an average of 0.18 gr per 100 gr product. For the Phosphor, the EEC recommends consumption of 0.8 gr a day, for the potassium we did not find any recommendation. The amount of phosphor we have is too low to even declare it, according to the EC legislations.
Please note that in the new regulation starting December 2014 it is not possible to indicate Cholesterol in the nutritional table. Garden Gourmet’s range of frankfurters, sausages, burgers, schnitzels, grills and nuggets all have zero cholesterol and are a good source of fibre and protein. Cheese-containing products have, naturally, a relative amount of cholesterol coming from the cheese. We do not add hydrogenated fats to our products.
The products that do contain white or black pepper are: Veg. Schnitzel, Burger, Balls, Sausages, Mince, Char-grilled Nuggets and Falafel. The products that do not contain white or black pepper are: Veg. Fillet, Corn Schnitzel, Pesto Carre. As Pepper is not a recognized allergen, it is not segregated in production of Garden Gourmet products. Consumers who are sensitive to Pepper carefully read the list of ingredients.