Our Most Frequently Asked Questions
We thank all who have taken the time to write to us or call with your compliments, criticisms and questions — your feedback is very important to us! Here we’ve collected the most frequently asked questions we have received from consumers.
If you have a question we have not addressed here, please let us know!
Where can I purchase Wholly Gluten Free products?
Our products are distributed throughout the US. You can typically find them in stores like Whole Foods and independent natural and health food stores, as well as in the natural foods sections of larger chain stores.
We encourage you to click on the Where to Buy link, located on any page of our web site. Enter your zip code, town or state to obtain a list of stores that we know of who carry our products.
Of course, if you know of a store—or if you own a store—that carries Wholly Gluten Free products and it’s not listed in our database, let us know and we will add it!
Are Wholly Gluten Free products available for purchase online?
Yes they are! Please visit our store here or click on the “Shop” Tab in the Navigation Bar to redirect to our online store.
Are Palm Fruit Oil and Palm Kernel Oil the same thing?
No. While Palm Fruit Oil and Palm Kernel Oil are from the same plant – the oil palm tree – each is derived from a different portion of the fruit. The fleshy orange fruit portion is the source of Palm Fruit Oil (also known as Palm Fruit Shortening), while the white kernel (in the center of the palm fruit) is the source of Palm Kernel Oil.
Physically and chemically different from the highly saturated Palm Kernel Oil, Palm Fruit Oil products contain a balance of polyunsaturated, monounsaturated and saturated fatty acids and essential substances such as linoleic acid, tocopherols and tocotrienols, which act as natural anti-oxidants against damaging free-radicals.
Does Wholly Gluten Free use Palm Kernel Oil in any of its products?
We use Palm Fruit Oil (also known as Palm Oil or Palm Fruit Shortening) in our pie shells, pizza dough ball, pizza crust, and cookies. In order to achieve the desired texture in these products (for example a nice, flaky pie crust), a solid (i.e. saturated) fat needs to be used. Because Palm Fruit Oil is naturally semi-solid at room temperature, it does not require hydrogenation and therefore contains zero trans fats per serving.
Is the Palm Oil in Wholly Gluten Free products sustainably sourced?
The Palm Oil used in Wholly Gluten Free products is RSPO Certified, Identity Preserved, and we are a member of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), as well. Our suppliers are committed to achieving high environmental performance through practices and policies including zero-waste, nutrient cycling, water efficiency, conservation of biodiversity, and energy and emissions efficiency. No GMOs or pesticides are used, and the palm oil is refined without chemicals. Our suppliers are also committed to the development and well being of their employees and wider community.
What is Evaporated Cane Sugar?
Evaporated Cane Sugar (ECS), also known as Evaporated Cane Juice, is an important ingredient in Wholly Gluten Free products. Oftentimes on our ingredient panels, you will find ECS listed as Organic Cane Sugar.
Unlike the highly processed and refined white sugar most consumers are familiar with, our main source of ECS is produced in Florida from sugar cane harvested and milled in the same day, using these simple and natural steps:
- Extraction – Sugar cane is pressed by a series of rollers to extract the juice.
- Purification – A clarification tank is then used to remove field sediments and small pieces of cane fiber.
- Filter – The juice is then filtered to remove any finer field particles.
- Evaporate – The filtered juice is then heated with steam to evaporate the natural water, creating a concentrated golden syrup.
- Crystalize – The resulting syrup is then “seeded” with tiny sugar crystals, and slowly boiled in a large vacuum pan. Boiling causes the crystals to increase in size, forming a mixture of crystals and molasses.
- Separate – A fine mesh rotating basket is then used to separate the crystals and molasses.
- Dry – The golden crystals are cooled and circulated with warm, dry air, and then are ready for packaging.
This process is considered a single crystallization process versus the double crystallization process used on refined sugars. An added benefit of the single crystallization process is that it yields higher levels of vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) than conventionally processed sugars. The single crystallization process also gives ECS a richer golden hue which complements many baked goods’ final appearance and flavor. This process also consumes less energy and generates fiber which is recycled as a clean source of renewable energy.
This single crystallization process has earned a Carbon Free certification, which verifies that a product’s carbon footprint is rendered neutral through greenhouse gas cutting measures. Our supplier’s sugar cane fields are also rotated every three years with rice crops to maintain a natural environmental balance. Of course the organic evaporated cane sugar is grown without pesticides or herbicides.
What is the Wholly Gluten Free policy regarding the use of GMOs?
At Wholly Gluten Free, the quality of our products is important to us—and therefore the quality of our ingredients. All of our Wholly Gluten Free Products are Non-GMO Project Verified.
Are your products free from the 11 most common Canadian allergens?
Yes. We are free from Wheat, Eggs, Milk, Soy, Peanuts, Treenuts, Shellfish/Mollusks, Fish, Sesame, Mustard and Sulphites.