Organic FAQ | USDA Certified Organic Bakery | Rudi's Bakery

General Questions

What does the term ‘Organic’ mean?

Organic is the term used to describe products that contain ingredients that are grown and processed without the use of synthetic fertilizers, fungicides or pesticides. Organic farming also prohibits the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), pesticides, chemicals, irradiation or artificial preservatives.

Do Rudi’s breads carry the USDA seal for organic products?

Yes, Rudi’s Organic breads carry the USDA Certified Organic seal because all of our breads contain between 95% and 100% organic ingredients. Additionally, Rudi’s bakery and breads are carefully monitored and certified by Quality Assurance International, an independent organic foods certification company.

What makes Rudi’s Organic breads the right choice for my family?

Rudi’s Organic breads are made without the use of synthetic pesticides which can affect children more than adults, and are more likely to be in the types of foods that children eat. Our breads are also made without artificial ingredients, preservatives, or genetically modified organisms. The organic farmers who produce our ingredients minimize agriculture’s impact on the environment, working to conserve the earth’s precious resources, and reduce soil, air and water pollution.

Are your new organic products non-GMO?

Yes, consistent with our long tradition of baking better breads on the bright side, all of the ingredients in our organic breads are non-GMO.

Product Details

Regarding allergies, do any of Rudi’s breads contain peanuts, peanut oil or tree nuts of any kind?

We do use hazelnuts in our facility in our Nut & Oat Bread. Good manufacturing practices are used to minimize cross contamination in a bakery that uses tree nuts. These include designating ingredient storage with color-coded labeling for visual reference, using color-coded utensils and bins when we bake with allergens that are not used for non-allergen containing breads, and baking the Nut & Oat bread very last in the baking cycle. Nuts are not taken into the bakery until all other breads have been made, and we shut down and do deep sanitation immediately after the nuts are used and before we start the next baking cycle. Finally, all finished product is closely monitored during the bagging process to ensure that the bread containing nuts is not put into the wrong bag.

There are no peanuts or peanut oil at Rudi’s Organic Bakery.

Do Rudi’s Organic products contain eggs or dairy?

All of Rudi’s Organic products are egg-free* and dairy-free.
*Please note Rudi’s Gluten-Free products do contain egg whites.

Does Rudi’s Organic Bakery use hydrogenated oil?

No, Rudi’s uses trans fat free oils in our breads – organic high oleic expeller-pressed sunflower oil which is cold pressed without the use of chemical solvents.

I found a hole in my loaf of bread – why are there sometimes holes in the bread?

Rudi’s Organic breads are made in small batches rather than mass-produced like some of our conventional competitors. Our baking processes create delicious, nutritious breads but not all the loaves look the same. Yeast can form bubbles of gas, creating an air pocket. This old dough process is what gives our products their distinct flavor.

Are Rudi’s breads kosher?

Yes, Rudi’s bread and the bakery itself are certified Kosher Orthodox Union kosher certification.

Are Rudi’s breads vegan?

Yes, Rudi’s Organic breads are vegan with the exception of the following varieties that contain honey: Honey Sweet Whole Wheat, European Multigrain, Spelt Tortillas and Whole Spelt Tortillas.

Please note Rudi’s Gluten-Free breads are not vegan, they contain egg white and organic honey.

What is the shelf life on Rudi’s Organic breads?

Rudi’s Organic Bakery uses a patented process to delay staling that guarantees product satisfaction above and beyond other organic breads. Once thawed, the sandwich breads have a 7-day ‘sell-by’ code life with an additional 3 days for home consumption. The artisan breads, spelt bread, hamburger buns and hot dog rolls have a 5-day ‘sell-by’ code life with an additional 2-3 days for home consumption. PLEASE DO NOT REFRIGERATE OUR BREADS – refrigeration only dries out our bread faster. The Spelt Tortillas are different and will last 7-10 days in your refrigerator after purchase.

Should I refrigerate my bread?

We recommend freezing the bread if you are not going to consume the loaf within the week. Refrigerating the bread causes it to dry out quickly.

What is spelt?

Spelt (Triticum spelta) is an ancient relative of wheat (Triticum aestivum). Often, people with wheat allergies can tolerate Spelt bread. Spelt has a higher protein content than modern wheat. Spelt is also loaded with complex carbohydrates and for some people it is easier to digest than wheat. Spelt does contain its own spelt gluten, which is important for those that cannot tolerate gluten from any source. Rudi’s line of spelt products includes: Spelt and Spelt Ancient Grains bread, Spelt and Whole Spelt tortillas, Spelt English Muffins.

What is sprouted bread and does Rudi’s Organic Bakery have a sprouted bread?

Sprouted breads are made with sprouted grains (wheat, barley and millet, among others) that are mashed, ground and added to bread recipes instead of flour. Currently, all Rudi’s breads are made with the finest organic wheat flour and are formulated with families in mind – especially kids – using proven award-winning recipes.

Why do you have flax in your 7 Grain with Flax bread? Are there health benefits to eating flax?

Flax, or flaxseeds, can be used in a variety of foods, including bread, to add flavor and texture. Besides its mild, nutty flavor, flax provides health benefits as well. Flax is naturally low in saturated fat, but rich in ALA, an essential omega-3 fatty acid. Research has shown that flax helps lower blood cholesterol levels and helps reduce inflammation, therefore reducing the risk of certain chronic diseases such as heart disease and stroke.

I’ve read that Rudi’s breads contain NO trans fats. Why is that important?

Trans fats are formed during hydrogenation or partial hydrogenation of oils. Hydrogenation is a process that changes the structure of a fat to increase shelf life and stability of foods containing those fats or oils. Trans fats, like saturated fats, raise LDL or “bad” cholesterol levels – which increases your risk for coronary heart disease. Experts recommend limiting trans fat intake as much as possible. Trans fats are commonly found in processed snack foods including crackers, cookies, cakes and fried foods.

Why is the shelf life of Rudi’s breads shorter than most non-organic breads?

Unlike its conventional counterparts, Rudi’s breads, buns and tortillas are made without any artificial ingredients or preservatives. It’s these preservatives that increase the shelf life of a product. Rudi’s products are made with the highest-quality ingredients, for optimal freshness and taste from the supermarket to your home.

Where do the natural enzymes in Rudi’s breads come from?

The natural enzymes found in Rudi’s Organic breads, buns and tortillas are not from animal sources, but from plant sources. The enzymes help the dough form properly. All of Rudi’s Organic products and ingredients are vegan friendly with the exception of the following varieties that contain honey: Honey Sweet Whole Wheat, European Multigrain, Spelt Tortillas and Whole Spelt Tortillas.

Please note Rudi’s Gluten-Free breads are not vegan, they contain egg white and organic honey.

What is the difference between white spelt and whole spelt?

Spelt is a type of grain, like wheat or barley. And, just like other grains, spelt can be used in its whole or refined form. Refined, or white spelt, requires removing various parts of the grain. Whole spelt contains all parts of the grain in tact – the germ, endosperm and bran – and therefore contains more fiber and nutrients than white spelt.

Is the organic high oleic sunflower oil used in Rudi’s products refined or cold pressed? Why?

High oleic sunflower oil is free of trans fats and high in monounsaturated fatty acids. Monounsaturated fatty acids help lower LDL or “bad” cholesterol, thus reducing the risk for heart disease. Rudi’s Organic Bakery uses cold pressed high oleic sunflower oil because less nutrients are lost in the cold pressed extraction of the oil. Cold pressed organic high oleic sunflower oil also adds a wonderful flavor to our products.

Availability

Can I order directly from you and if not, where can I get it in my area?

No, we do not have an on-line store at this website. Please visit our where to buy page to find the closest store in your area.

What if I don’t find a store near me?

You can help Rudi’s Organic get picked up by your local store by printing out this form and presenting it at your favorite local retailer.