Standard Process Inc. Whole Food Supplements Since 1929.

Product FAQs

The most commonly asked questions about Standard Process and our products.

Are all the ingredients organically grown on the Standard Process Farm?

We organically grow the following crops regularly: alfalfa, barley grass, beets, Brussels sprouts, buckwheat, kale, kidney beans, oats, pea vine, and Spanish black radish. We purchase other raw materials organically when possible.

What is Standard Process' seed source–are they GMO-free?

All of the seeds we use are untreated and free of genetically modified organisms (GMO). We use certified organic seeds when available.

Why would a product look different from bottle to bottle?

Because of the variability in sources of natural and organic ingredients, color, texture, and odor may vary from batch to batch. However, the basic formula remains constant, and quality is ensured by repeat testing.

Why are binders added to products?

Only natural binding ingredients, such as honey and arabic gum, are used in our tablet manufacturing process. Cellulose is often used to give body to the powders. Calcium stearate, derived from vegetable sources, is used as a lubricant to help products release from the tablet and capsule machines. No artificial flavoring is ever used.

Is your calcium stearate derived from hydrogenated oils? Is it safe for consumption?

The calcium stearate we use is derived from palm oil, which is a saturated fat, like cocoa butter, dairy fats, nutmeg butter, etc. It is approved by the FDA to be used as a lubricant and is generally recognized as safe for use in food.

If the capsules are not full, is there an adequate amount of product in them?

Electronically controlled capsule machines are continuously monitored to ensure that precise amounts of product are measured and enclosed in gelatin and/or cellulose capsules. Capsules are packaged by weight, not volume. Therefore, the denser the product, the less you will find in the capsule.

Is the gelatin in your capsules made from meat?

The gelatin capsules are processed so extensively that the capsule is so far removed from a meat or dairy source it is considered to be pareve/parve. This means that, under the laws of Judaism, it has been prepared without meat, milk, or other derivatives.

What are your capsule colors made from?

Mineral color compounds, such as titanium dioxide and iron oxides, are used to make the various capsule colors.

What does the "Best Used By" date mean?

The Best Used By information, located on all product boxes and on the neck of all product bottles, represents the date by which the product is best used by. This date should not be viewed as an expiration date, but as a guideline for when products are considered 100% potent. Products tend to lose potency over time, but may still be considered effective after this date. Standard Process only guarantees product potency up until the Best Used By date. Products are continuously tested to determine their shelf life. This testing has shown that certain products tend to have shorter shelf lives, which is reflected in the Best Used By date.

Are any of your products made with peanut ingredients?

Due to the frequency and severity of peanut allergies, Standard Process removed "peanut bran" from its products and substituted it with "rice bran." Peanut Butter StandardBar will continue to be made with peanut butter.

Why do you have sucrose on your product labels?

Sucrose, along with starch and arabic gum, is used to coat vitamin A, making it into a powdered form that helps prevent oxidation of vitamin A. The amount of sucrose in the actual product is very minimal.

Which of your products contain soy? Should I worry about an allergic reaction?

Soy Almond Crunch StandardBar^® and Betacol^® contain soybean ingredients, such as soy powder, soy nuggets, and soy protein. Soybean lecithin, a source of choline and B vitamins, is found in other Standard Process products. It acts as an emulsifier, keeping water and fats from separating in foods. Soybean lecithin shouldn't contain soybean's allergenic protein; however, a trace amount might remain. Individual sensitivities to soy protein should be discussed with a health care professional before taking Betacol or eating Soy Almond Crunch StandardBars.

What are the levels of mercury in Tuna Omega-3 Oil?

Every batch of tuna oil, which comes from skipjack and yellow-fin tuna found in the South Pacific Ocean, is assayed for nutritional composition and quality and safety. This testing is not only conducted by Standard Process, but also by the tuna oil supplier. The amount of mercury in Tuna Omega-3 Oil is less than 10 parts per billion.

Why won't Standard Process tablets dissolve in water or vinegar?

Standard Process tablets were developed to be digested/dissolved by the hydrochloric acid in the stomach or digestive tract. All products must meet the standard disintegration levels set forth by the United States Pharmacopeia (USP).

Does the nutritional yeast in Standard Process products cause yeast infections?

Nutritional yeast, S. cerevisiae, is not pathogenic and does not cause Candida or other yeast infections.

Why is it recommended that some Standard Process supplements be chewed?

Some Standard Process supplements are designed as chewables for those who cannot swallow capsules or tablets. Once they are chewed, taste bud receptors tell the brain what is entering the digestive system. Tasting is considered the first stage of digestion, when salivary secretion enzymes are activated.

Which Standard Process supplements should not be chewed and why?

A Zypan^®, Betaine Hydrochloride, and Cal-Amo^® should never be chewed because the acids may cause potential damage to tooth enamel. Chlorophyll Complex^™ Perles will temporarily stain the teeth and turn the tongue green.

What allergens might be found in Standard Process products?

Our products are processed in a facility that manufactures other products containing soy, milk, egg, wheat, peanut, tree nuts, fish, and shellfish. While we take every precaution to avoid cross-contamination, there may still be some allergen residue. Please read our labels carefully for any possible allergens before recommending supplements to patients that are sensitive to certain foods.

Does Standard Process have a list of gluten-free products?

There are a few reasons Standard Process does not label products "gluten free":

• Grains containing gluten, barley, rye, and wheat, are used in many of our products
• Presently there is no established "gluten-free" standard, but the FDA is in the process of addressing this issue
  
  

  No two patients have the same sensitivity to gluten; therefore, nutritional counseling should be individualized and potential gluten allergies discussed before a patient takes any Standard Process supplement.

  Since this is a complex issue, we encourage you to find out more by visiting relevant websites, such aswww.celiac.com, which discusses gluten allergies and safe foods to eat for those sensitive to gluten.