FAQ
Questions and Answers
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Common Questions
PROPASTA’S ALLERGEN-FREE STATEMENT:
Propasta strives to be the global leader in allergen-free foods and ingredients. Here at Propasta, we believe that eating foods free-from allergens, animal products and gluten shouldn’t compromise flavor, texture, or nutrition. Propasta has developed and sourced specialty ingredients and blends that make it easier for commercial bakeries and leading food brands to offer world class gluten-free, plant-based products to their customers.
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OUR PRODUCTS:
ARE YOUR PRODUCTS FREE-FROM COMMON ALLERGENS?
Eating allergen-free shouldn’t be difficult. All Propasta products are free-from the top 9 allergens in the US: wheat, peanuts, tree nuts, dairy, soy, egg, fish & shellfish.
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ARE PROPASTA’S PRODUCTS WHEAT-FREE OR GLUTEN-FREE?
Both! All Propasta products are made without wheat or any other source of gluten (such as barley or rye)
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ARE PROPASTA’S PRODUCTS NUT-FREE?
Yes, our products are completely free-from nuts. No peanuts or tree nuts are ever used in Propasta products, and they aren’t even allowed to enter our production facility! For extra security, we perform peanut and tree nut rapid tests on both our raw ingredients and finished products to ensure the highest levels of safety and quality.
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ARE PROPASTA’S PRODUCTS DAIRY-FREE?
Absolutely! All our products are dairy–free. People with dairy allergies/intolerances can enjoy our goodies without fear!
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ARE YOUR PRODUCTS NON-GMO?
Thankfully, hemp is always Non-GMO. Additionally, we strive to source Non-GMO ingredients for all of our ProPasta meals. All ProPasta products are Non-GMO Project Verified.
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IS YOUR PACKAGING RECYLCLABLE OR BIODEGRADABLE?
We believe in responsible waste. The cardboard box is recyclable.
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WHAT IS RESISTANT STARCH TYPE 4 (RS4) & WHAT DOES IT DO FOR ME?
RS4 is the type of resistant starch found in our Propasta products. Resistant starch is a form of carbohydrate & when ingested, our bodies must work to modify them before use; this process leaves us feeling fuller for longer. Type 4 starches have been modified beforehand to increase the availability of benefits to our digestion systems.
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WHAT ARE BALANCED CARBS?
Carbohydrates provide primary macro-nutrients to our bodies. A balanced complex carbohydrate will contain healthy carbs like fiber & starch. These nutrients take longer to break down in your digestion system, leaving you with a slow burn of sustainable energy.
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Food Allergies & Intolerances
PROPASTA’S ALLERGEN TESTING:
We continually perform allergen tests to verify that our facility upholds our stringent standards, allowing you to eat freely as you enjoy our snacks, foods, and ingredients. Our ingredient suppliers are required to complete non-contamination certificates for every item that we purchase. Additionally, we perform our own internal tests for the top 8 allergens (milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, & soybeans)
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WHAT ARE FOOD ALLERGIES?
A food allergy occurs when the immune system produces an antibody in response to the protein in specific foods. Exposure to the food, in even the tiniest amounts, can produce symptoms either immediately or delayed, ranging from uncomfortable (hives, eczema, upset stomach, sinus problems) to life threatening (swelling of the tongue, closing of the throat). Food elimination diets, blood and/or lab tests are used as a part of the diagnosis.
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FOOD INTOLERANCES?
A food intolerance occurs when eating a certain food triggers a negative physiological response, but the immune system is not affected in the same way. Symptoms may take up to three days to kick in, making food intolerances very difficult to diagnose. Elimination diets and specialty tests are the most common methods for diagnosis. While not life-threatening, symptoms can be severe and range from gastrointestinal distress, headache, to chronic fatigue.
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I THINK I MIGHT HAVE A FOOD ALLERGY. HOW CAN I LEARN MORE?
Since we aren’t doctors, we cannot dispense medical advice. We recommend that you talk to your doctor. If you would like to do more research, there are great online resources listed in our resources section.
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WHAT IS A LOW-FODMAP DIET?
FODMAP is an acronym that describes a number of short-chained carbohydrates naturally present in common foods. For some people, lowering FODMAP intake has been shown to help reduce uncomfortable digestive symptoms related to a range of health issues, such as IBS, Crohn's disease, and others. Learn more about FODMAPS from the FODMAP friendly program.
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Celiac Disease & Gluten-free living
WHAT IS CELIAC DISEASE? HOW IS IT DIAGNOSED?
Celiac Disease is an autoimmune condition triggered by the intake of gluten in genetically predisposed individuals. The only treatment for celiac disease is a strict gluten-free diet for life. Luckily there are now many tasty and nutritious gluten-free foods — like Propasta's products — that make eating gluten-free easy.
Once thought to be a rare disorder, Celiac Disease is known to affect as many as 1 in 133 Americans (1% of the population). Symptoms vary in nature and severity (anything from diarrhea and skin rashes, to migraines). Gone untreated, Celiac Disease may result in osteoporosis, infertility, and anemia. It also increases the likelihood of developing other autoimmune conditions and cancers of the gut.
Celiac disease is the most under-diagnosed health condition today, often mislabeled as irritable bowel syndrome, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, ulcers, or anxiety disorders. It can be diagnosed through a blood test and biopsy of the small intestine. Talk to your primary care physician if you suspect you might have Celiac Disease. For more information, visit the resources section of our site for links to celiac disease organizations, support groups and research centers.
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WHAT IS GLUTEN?
Gluten is the protein found in wheat, rye, and barley. It is most mainstream in bakery items and prepared foods, including such unsuspecting items as soy sauce and licorice (both made with wheat). People with celiac disease and other forms of gluten intolerance must avoid foods that contain gluten, or they may suffer from short- and long-term health complications.
In the great “gluten debate,” oats are a controversial grain, once thought to be a substantial source of gluten. Recent research has suggested that oats do not contain the reactive peptide sequence known to be problematic for gluten intolerance. However, most oats in this country are grown, processed or stored near wheat and are thought to be contaminated at levels too high to be considered safe for people with celiac disease. Therefore, we have chosen to use a certified gluten-free purity protocol in our products that do contain oats.