Certified Organic Frozen Spinach from Netherlands (1kg)

Description

One full bag 1kg (2.2lbs) of ACO certified organic, also Japan certified organic JAS, fresh frozen chopped and cubed spinach from the Netherlands, Europe. Freshly harvested, blanched, chopped, compressed into cubes, and then individually flash-frozen (IQF) for freshness and quality. Spinach cubes are amazingly convenient. You can defrost them at room temperature and use them right away for cooking or in your green smoothie.

Blanching is a non-chemical simple process of scalding the vegetables for 60 seconds in 90°C (200°F) hot water and then shock cooling in ice water to stop the cooking process. Blanching stops enzyme actions which cause loss of flavor, color, and texture, it also cleanses the surface of dirt and organisms, brightens the color, and helps to preserve the vitamins. 

All our imported fruits and vegetables are strictly tested for E Coli, coliforms, molds, yeasts as well as listeria and salmonella in the country of export, in the country of packaging, and through selective sampling during import inspections in Japan and therefore meet very high microbiological safety standards. However, non-processed products of natural origin, especially non-GMO and certified organic will always have a certain degree of minor defects (less than 5%) these include, decolorations, insect damage, broken damage, crumble damage, squashed damage, over or under maturity, and minor natural non-harmful mold.

100% natural, non-GMO, no added nasties or chemical treatments are done. No use of chemically synthesized fertilizers and pesticides. See more about certified organic below.

About Certified Organic

This product is certified Japan Agricultural Standard Organic (JAS) - both in the country of origin and Japan. Japan has one of the world's strictest organic certification standards. But what does certified organic mean when it comes to fruits and vegetables? 

✔ Free of harmful synthetic chemical inputs such as fertilizer, pesticides, antibiotics, food additives, irradiation, and the use of sewage sludge.

✔ Free of genetically modified seeds (non-GMO)

✔ The farmland and soil in use have at least been 3 years free of any chemical treatment before the harvest has been certified as organic.

✔ Organic certifications come with multiple audits or on-site visits a year. Organic producers are rigidly checked and inspected by governmental bodies or certified third parties. Organic certification requires detailed bookkeeping and documentation. This makes organic produce technically 100% traceable from farm to table.

✔ Organic certification standards require a strict separation of non-organic certified produce starting from the farmland, soil, harvesting, processing, export, and even import and storage.

✔ Organic farming is a more sustainable alternative when it comes to food production. The lack of harmful pesticides and a wider variety of plants enhances biodiversity and results in better soil quality and reduced pollution from fertilizer or pesticide run-off.

✔ Organic vegetables and fruits are produced mostly by family-owned farms that own smaller acres of organic land. Although the demand is increasing, organic land does not even make 30% of all farmland in any given country (Japan ranks at the very bottom!). This makes organic farming lucrative and more profitable for farmers and gives them a fair chance to live a sustainable life and support their local communities.

✔ Certified organic in Japan and Australia (as well as in most industrialized countries) is a protected word and the use is legally restricted, meaning that you can be rest assured that Horizon Farms is an officially registered certified organic importer and all organic imported produce has been inspected and verified in the export country as well as in Japan.

It is also important to mention that organic produce is more cost-intensive. Organic farming has lower yields compared to conventional farming and is oftentimes more labor-intensive as well. Additionally, organic certification and auditions require annual fees for producers, exporters, and importers resulting in higher prices for the end consumers. 

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