Synthetics Used by Organic Valley

Organic Valley uses a small number of the synthetics on the approved National Organic list, because we believe they reflect the interests of the citizen partners that buy our food. Each one is carefully considered and used only with the assurance that it is not harmful in any way, and is necessary (until an organic solution is available) to enable us to offer our customers the products they enjoy.

Synthetics used as ingredients:

calcium citrate

Our "with calcium" orange juice -- the most popular of our orange juices -- contains the synthetic calcium citrate. The same ingredient many organic consumers take in their daily supplements, calcium citrate is the best available source of added calcium, because it is flavorless and easily assimilated by the body.

vitamins

We also use synthetic vitamin A and D in our milk and our soy beverage, which is standard in the industry and again reflects the desire of the consumer and what is considered best for our health.

Synthetics used as processing aids:

hydrogen peroxide

We use hydrogen peroxide, another synthetic, to sterilize our milk cartons. By the time our milk comes into contact with the carton, this synthetic has broken down into water and oxygen, and evaporated away.

carbon dioxide

We use carbon dioxide as part of what is termed "modified atmosphere packaging" in our shredded cheese and cottage cheese. This serves as an oxygen scavenger which prevents the cheese from molding, without the use of preservatives.

calcium hydroxide

Our chocolate milk and soy beverages contain organic sugar, which is processed with the synthetic calcium hydroxide (a hydrated version of limestone). This substance is used to remove impurities from the sugar after the cane is pressed, and does not remain in the final product.

updated 5.16.08