Eden Foods
| Rating |  |
| Company | Eden Foods |
| Location | Clinton, MI |
| Products | soymilk, soybeans, tofu, miso, soy sauce, ponzu sauce |
| Market Area | Nationwide and International |
| Web Site | www.edenfoods.com |
| Total Score | 955 |
Eden Foods readily shared contact information for the farmers who grow organic soybeans for their EdenSoy (soymilk) products. Based on our follow up research, we have no reason to question their claim that all soybeans used in their EdenSoy products come from American farmers with whom they have long-term and stable relationships. The farmers whom we contacted are dedicated to organic principles, and very much appreciate Eden Foods’ commitment to supporting their diverse organic farms.
Eden Foods does carry four products that do not contain USA-grown soybeans; these are traditional Japanese specialty products, imported from Japan. The four products containing non-USA grown soybeans are: Natto Miso, freeze-dried tofu, Tekka sauce and Ponzu sauce. We appreciate Eden Foods’ honesty in sharing with us that these four products contain soybeans that are not USA-grown.
Eden Foods rates very highly because, in addition to sourcing only USA-grown soybeans for their soymilk, they test every incoming load of soybeans for GMO contamination and use only pure food ingredients for flavoring (e.g. using real vanilla extract instead of natural flavors).
Note: consumers may wonder why Eden Foods products do not carry the green USDA Organic seal. Eden Foods explains: “Although all EDEN organic food is grown, handled, processed, and certified in a way that meets and exceeds the requirements for using the ‘USDA Organic’ seal, Eden chooses not to use this seal on its food labels. In short, this seal does not approach Eden’s standards for organic, in practice or in spirit.”
Eden Foods writes:
“We are an independent natural food company offering authentic organic family farm food since 1968. Dedicated farmers nurture more than 75,000 acres. Each food is prepared as if for our children, with no irradiation, no preservatives, no chemical additives, no food colorings, no refined sugars, and no genetically engineered ingredients – just the best that can be found.
EDENSOY is 100 percent USA family farm organic soybeans and grain. We visit each farm, the fields, and families regularly. Ingenious tending over decades provides vital soil producing food that brims with energy, flavor, and vastly superior nutrition.
Soy protein requires thorough cooking to transform it into easy to assimilate food. EDENSOY is made at our certified organic plant employing 240 continuous quality control checks and decades of research on how best to choose and prepare soybeans. From double reverse osmosis purified water, to a patented enzyme invalidator, to Swedish aseptic packaging, every step contributes to greater value.
Only the finest food goes into EDENSOY, even the vanilla beans.“
| Criteria | Points | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| TOTAL (possible score is 1000) | 955 | 5-Bean Rating |
Family-farmer owned businesses receive the most points, investor owned corporations the fewest.
Ownership Structure | 80 | Family Business |
|
Reflects a company’s commitment to purchasing organic soybeans.
Percentage Organic Soybean Purchases | 90 | 95% organic, 5% non-GMO |
|
Companies committed to transparency receive the most points.
Disclosure of Information for Verification | 100 | full and open disclosure |
|
Reflects the integrity of the company’s chosen organic certifying organization. Organic Certifier | 100 | OCIA |
|
Companies selling only organic products receive the most points.
Organic Product Line | 90 | 95% Organic, 5% Non-GMO |
|
Companies that manufacture in-house receive the most points.
Manufacturing | 95 | Products are manufactured by a copacker with full disclosure; joint venture part owned by Eden Foods |
|
Companies that purchase directly from farmers receive the most points; companies that buy through brokers selling imports receive the fewest.
Sourcing and Farmer Relationships | 100 | 100% directly from North American farmers; visited the farms |
|
Companies that are committed to preventing GMO contamination receive the most points. Prevention of GMO Contamination | 100 | GMO tests performed on 100% of incoming loads |
|
Companies that do not add flavor or add only certified organic natural flavor receive the most points. Flavors | 100 | Only organic food ingredients used for flavors, such as organic vanilla extract |
|
Companies that do not use soy lecithin or that use certified organic soy lecithin receive the most points.
Soy Lecithin | 100 | none used |
