Our Quality: Non-GMO Project, Organic Certification, Gluten Free and Allergen Information

By: Whitney Barnes | May 30 2018
From farm fields to our facility and kitchens around the world, Bob’s Red Mill guarantees the quality and safety of our products every step of the way. We are dedicated to the manufacturing of natural foods in the most wholesome way and we do this with honesty and integrity at our world headquarters in Milwaukie, OR. Our goal is to make the world better with whole grains - it’s Bob’s way. That’s why we offer one of the largest lines of organic, whole grain foods in the country.

Bob's Red Mill is Non-GMO Project Verified

For the past 40 years, our mission at Bob’s Red Mill has been simple: to make wholesome food using the highest quality ingredients. We’ve always been committed to sourcing raw materials that are not modified through genetic engineering, and now we’re proud to announce that OVER 200 of our products are Non-GMO Project Verified. See our full list of Non-GMO Project Verified products at livingnongmo.org.

How Are Products Verified Non-GMO?

Our Non-GMO Project Verified products are made from ingredients that have been produced in compliance with the Non-GMO Project Standard. In addition, our supply sources use an identity preservation system to track each raw material as it is received, processed, packaged and sold, to ensure it’s not mixed with unverified ingredients.

Learn More about Non-GMO

Bob's Red Mill Organic Products

Each product with the USDA Organic symbol has completed a rigorous certification process to ensure its compliance with the National Organic Program (NOP). The NOP protects the integrity of the USDA organic standards, from farm to market, around the world. The organic label means that the product was grown without synthetic fertilizers or irradiation, and that genetic engineering may not be used. In addition, organic operations must maintain or enhance soil and water quality while also conserving wetlands, woodlands, and wildlife to be in accordance with USDA organic regulations.

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Testing in our QA Lab

Our Allergen Control and Awareness

All of our facilities have established allergen control and awareness programs. These strict guidelines and procedures are in place to ensure we are providing nutritious, safe food for those with allergies. All Bob's Red Mill products that contain any of the FDA's eight major food allergens (milk, egg, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, wheat, peanuts, soybeans) will be clearly declared on the label.

How we do Gluten Free

We want the very best gluten free flours, baking mixes, cereals, and oatmeals to be available to our friends and family on gluten free diets. With you in mind, we source our gluten free grains and other products from farmers who are likewise dedicated to providing safe, gluten free goodness to you and your family. We adhere to a strict threshold of less than 20 parts per million (ppm) of gluten for all of our labeled gluten free products.

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Rolled Oats, Organic Rolled Oats, Gluten Free Rolled Oats, Gluten Free Organic Rolled Oats Through the years we’ve learned that it takes dedication and some innovative thinking to ensure a truly gluten free product. We built a dedicated and completely separate Gluten Free Facility with specialized equipment to ensure our gluten free products maintain their purity. Only gluten free products are milled, mixed, and packaged in this facility and our machinery is never exposed to non-gluten free products. We test every incoming delivery of product using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test - ensuring that every product is less than 20 ppm of gluten. Product received at the mill is tested upon arrival and then placed on hold until results are given. After we receive confirmed results that the product tests below 20 ppm it is only then accepted into our dedicated Gluten Free Facility. In addition to testing upon arrival, we test product during processing and after processing, holding each time until results are given. We value your health and trust in our gluten free products! Beginning in 2019, we also offer some products that are certified gluten free by the Gluten-Free Certification Organization, a branch of the Gluten Intolerance Group. You can identify these select products by the GFCO logo on the product packages. Other Bob’s Red Mill gluten free products will continue to be tested and confirmed gluten free per our strict gluten free protocols. You can identify these products by the red GF logo and the gluten free testing statement on the product packages. Our commitment to quality begins at the source but extends into your kitchen and beyond. We thank you for trusting us with your health.

More questions? Our Customer Service team is happy to help.

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34 Comments

  1. Athena Valles
    Hello,
    I have been researching a new protein powder to add to my smoothies. I have read how soy protein utilizes Hexane in its manufacturing process, so I’d like to avoid it. I came across Bob’s Red Mill Pea Protein powder. It sounds like a great option for me because it doesn’t contain any additional unwanted ingredients or flavors.

    In my hunt I also found another protein powder from another brand, Paradise Herbs ORAC-Energy Protein & Greens, Original Unflavored 16 oz. I chose this variety because of the added greens and it was on sale. However, upon receiving the item, I noticed a Proposition 65 Warning on the back describing how the lead from the soil contaminated some of the plants in the protein powder. However, I did further research on lead toxicity in crops and from what I understood is that only a trivial amount, if any, should be present normally. If there’s a higher level of lead toxicity, then there are other underlying problems that need be addressed.

    Now for my questions. Does Bob’s Red Mill Pea Protein Powder contain traces of lead? Does it have a Proposition 65 Warning of which I should aware?

    I look forward to for your assistance.

    Thank you.
    Reply
    1. Sarena Shasteen
      Hi Athena, this is a great question. Heavy metals are not added to our protein powders during processing; however due to growing conditions, heavy metals can be naturally occurring. Our protein powders are monitored on an annual basis and do not exceed the limits.
      Reply
  2. Linda H
    I just learned that sorghum can be dangerously high in nitrates depending on growing conditions do you test your wholesorghum and flour for nitrate levels?
    Reply
    1. Whitney Barnes
      Hi Linda - all of our Sorghum is grown in the USA. For more information please contact our Customer Service team at [email protected] - thanks!
      Reply
  3. Bev P
    Do you happen to know if other companies abide by these same "Good Manufacturing Practices" also? Are they FDA regulated? Or did Bob's Red Mill create them? Also, if they originated with the FDA, do you happen to know if flushing the first 20 pounds of product when a new product is introduced is part of the GMP, or does is that just an extra step that your company takes as a precaution?
    Reply
    1. Whitney Barnes
      Hi Bev - Current food good manufacturing practices (GMPs) are published in Title 21 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 110 (21 CFR 110). GMPs describe the methods, equipment, facilities, and controls for producing processed food. As the minimum sanitary and processing requirements for producing safe and wholesome food, they are an important part of regulatory control over the safety of the nation's food supply. GMPs also serve as one basis for FDA inspections. (More info here on the FDA website)

      The flushing of product is a part of the Bob's Red Mill Allergen Program. It's common practice for dry facilities like ours but is not enforced by the FDA or any other regulatory agency. It is a step we at Bob's Red Mill do to help ensure the product changeovers are completed in a safe manner and to prevent cross contamination.
      Reply
  4. Erin Jones
    Hello,
    I have an allergy to almonds. I am interested in trying your cornmeal. What all is done to ensure there is no cross contamination? Thank you
    Reply
    1. Whitney Barnes
      Hi Erin! Our facility follows Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) and follows allergen control strategies to minimize the potential cross contact of food allergens. These practices include, but are not limited to: HACCP training, separation of like materials, and sanitation. If you have a concern about a common or uncommon allergen and that ingredient is used in one of our facilities, it is possible for cross contact to occur. If you need more information regarding allergens, please feel free to contact us at 1-800-349-2173 and we are happy to offer additional assistance.
      Reply
  5. Karen
    Hello, can you tell me if any Bob's red mill products contain cashews, pistachios, pine nuts or macadamia nuts? Those are the types of tree nuts I'm allergic to but I don't see a list anywhere that includes which nuts are processed in products available in Canada. I am concerned about cross contamination of only select tree nuts. Thanks
    Reply
    1. Whitney Barnes
      Hi Karen - Cashews, pistachios and macadamia nuts are present in some of our facilities. In our efforts to minimize the potential cross contact of food allergens, our facilities follow Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) and employ allergen control strategies. These practices include, but are not limited to: HACCP training, separation of like materials, and sanitation. For information about specifics products, please feel free to contact us at 1-800-349-2173 and we are happy to offer additional assistance.
      Reply
  6. Amanda
    For those of us looking for smoothie additives, do you do any bacterial pathogen testing on your products (like potato starch)? Specifically I would be most concerned about Salmonella enterica (commonly found in raw flour) and Bacillus cereus.
    Reply
    1. Whitney Barnes
      Hi Amanda - our Customer Service team is best equipped to answer this type of question. Please email them at [email protected] for more information.
      Reply
  7. Julie
    Hi, My son is allergic to peanuts and some tree nuts (almonds, cashews, pistachios, pecans, brazil nuts, and walnuts), but he is not allergic to hazelnuts. I would like to use your hazelnut flour for him, but want to ensure that there is not cross contamination with other tree nuts in your facility when producing this flour.
    Reply
    1. Sarena Shasteen
      We ask that you contact customer service directly about this. They will be able to answer your questions fully. You can reach them at 800-349-2173.
      Reply
  8. Tom Stewart
    Do you offer copies of your Good Manufacturing Practice Certificate to consumers?
    Reply
    1. Whitney Barnes
      Whitney Barnes
      Hi Tom - our Customer Service is happy to help with that. Please reach them directly at [email protected]
      Reply
  9. David Hart
    Hi, Are your gluten free flours (e.g. 1-to-1 gluten-free flour blend and millet flour) free from possible cross-contamination with sesame, tree nuts, and peanuts?
    Reply
    1. Whitney Barnes
      Whitney Barnes
      Hi David - Our Gluten Free Facility, where our Gluten Free products are processed and packaged, processes almonds, hazelnuts, cashews, coconut, macadamia nuts, soy, oats, sesame seeds, and corn ingredients – it is peanut free.

      The facility follows Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) and follows allergen control strategies to minimize the potential cross contact of food allergens. These practices include, but are not limited to: HACCP training, separation of like materials, and sanitation. Despite these precautions, we are unable to guarantee that cross-contact has not occurred because of airborne and proximity issues and because our products run on shared production lines.
      Reply
  10. Alan Warner
    Does Bob’s Red Mill use hexane in TVP production?
    Reply
    1. Whitney Barnes
      Hi Alan - Yes, the oils are removed from the soybeans using hexane. During the processing, hexane is then removed from the final product.
      Reply
  11. Paige B.
    On your organic gluten free oats it doesn’t not say on the packages “manufactured in a facility that also processes nuts” but on your other products it does say this. Does this mean that the organic gluten free oats are made in separate lines and or separate facility then your other products? My daughter has a nut allergy so trying to decide if these are in fact ok to give her.
    Reply
    1. Whitney Barnes
      Whitney Barnes
      Hi Paige, our labels have been updated to be in line with FDA guidelines. Any product that contains a top 8 allergen will be clearly marked on the label, like "CONTAINS: tree nuts (almonds)"

      Our Gluten Free Facility, where our Gluten Free products (like Organic Gluten Free Rolled Oats) are processed and packaged, processes almonds, hazelnuts, cashews, coconut, macadamia nuts, soy, oats, sesame seeds, and corn ingredients – it is peanut free.

      The facility follows Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) and follows allergen control strategies to minimize the potential cross contact of food allergens. These practices include, but are not limited to: HACCP training, separation of like materials, and sanitation. Despite these precautions, we are unable to guarantee that cross-contact has not occurred because of airborne and proximity issues and because our products run on shared production lines.

      If you have more questions, please email us at [email protected]
      Reply
  12. Hannah
    I always avoided Bob’s GF flours because I believe they used to be labeled as manufactured in a facility with tree nuts. Lately I have noticed that most of the GF products no longer contain a statement regarding presence of tree nuts in the processing facility. Though when I read the responses to the comments/questions, it seems like there is indeed processing of allergens like tree nuts. Why the label change if in fact allergens are still present in the manufacturing line?
    Reply
    1. Whitney Barnes
      Hi Hannah, our labels are updated to stay in line with FDA labeling requirements. If you have more questions, please contact us directly at 1-800-349-2173 or [email protected]
      Reply
  13. Rachel
    What tree nuts are in the facility that makes your flaxseed meal? My kids have allergies, so I am wondering if it will be safe for them. Thank you!
    Reply
    1. Elisabeth Allie
      Elisabeth Allie
      Hi there! Our Conventional Facility processes almonds, cashews, coconut, hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, pecans, sesame seeds and walnuts. Our Gluten Free Facility processes almonds, cashews, coconut, hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, pecans, sesame seeds and walnuts.
      Reply
  14. Alison
    I am trying to avoid arsenic and heavy metals - do you test your gluten free flour for heavy metals? I’m specifically concerned about the rice flour. Thanks!
    Reply
    1. Elisabeth Allie
      Elisabeth Allie
      Hi Alison! Please email [email protected] for assistance.
      Reply
  15. Noor
    Are there any preservatives or additives in the oats?
    Reply
    1. Elisabeth Allie
      Elisabeth Allie
      Hi there! Our bagged oats are all one simple ingredient: whole grain oats. You can check the ingredients for all of our products here on our site!
      Reply
  16. Barbara Burgelin
    Barbara Burgelin
    Hello--I'm about to order some Oat Bran. Can you please tell me why the Organic product has 6 gm protein and more fat, compared to the non-organic type that has 7 gm protein and less fat?
    Thank you,
    Barbara Burgelin
    Reply
    1. Elisabeth Allie
      Elisabeth Allie
      Hi Barbara! Please email [email protected].
      Reply
  17. Amy
    I have noticed a lawsuit against Bob red mil some products about exceeded levels of lead and cadmium.
    And I have noticed prop warning on organic rye flour. Assuming you regularly check levels of lead and cadmium in that product, could you give a link or provide a document for the recent test results?
    Reply
    1. Ashley Morris
      Hi Amy, please contact our customer service department to better assist you: [email protected]
      Reply

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