GMO-­‐FREE GRAINS, NATIONAL KOSHER CERTIFICATION AND NEW NAME POSITION CYBROS THE SPROUTED BAKEHOUSE FOR CONTINUED GROWTH

Cybros the Sprouted Bakehouse, a leading producer of fresh sprouted grain breads, today announced that it will use only non-­genetically modified grains, natural sunflower oil, and locally sourced domestic honey in all of its bread products. The company also announced it is changing its name to Angelic Bakehouse to better reflect the wholesome goodness of its breads. Owners Jenny and James Marino said the ingredient upgrades and name change are part of a series of moves that position the family-­owned company for continued growth and potential national distribution opportunities, while maintaining the product purity and quality customers have come to expect. The changes mean that Angelic Bakehouse will add more premium ingredients to its unique and growing product line made primarily from unprocessed sprouted whole grains, instead of traditional flour. Additionally, to limit allergens in its products, the company will discontinue cookies and other non-­sprouted grain products that contain soy or treenuts.

Angelic Bakehouse’s improved products made their debut – with all-new packaging, updated nutritional information and a new “Oh so pure” tagline – on store shelves at the end of February. President Jenny Marino said an ingredient upgrade makes good business sense at this point in the company’s growth. The company’s sales have tripled since the Marinos bought the bakehouse in 2009. “The GMO-­free movement is really gaining steam among health-­conscious consumers,” she said. “As a family, we believe in it and, as business owners, we saw a tremendous opportunity to get ahead of the curve. We’re making great sprouted grain breads even better and our company even stronger with higher-­quality ingredients that have wonderful taste and real appeal in today’s marketplace.”

Marino added that Angelic Bakehouse’s “Pure Promise” to customers – demonstrated not only through GMO-­free ingredients and a commitment to sprouted grains, but also through locally sourced domestic honey and the use of no artificial sweeteners, fats, or preservatives – help the company’s products stand out. “The bread aisle is a ‘Sea of Sameness,’ with every brand promoting itself as natural and a good source of this or that. But we know most products can’t touch ours in terms of purity and quality of ingredients,” she said. “Our Pure Promise – with GMO-­free grains, sunflower oil, and an insistence on honey sourced in the U.S.A. ensures that Angelic Bakehouse products contain the very purest ingredients. Our research shows that’s what today’s consumers want, and now, we are in a better position to provide it.”

Executive Vice President James Marino said Angelic Bakehouse also recently attained the OK-Pas Yisroel Kosher Certification, one of the world’s most respected symbols of kosher approval. He said the national kosher certification will allow the company, which currently distributes its breads to grocery and specialty stores across the Midwest and in markets in both the Northeast and Southeast parts of the country, to explore expanded national distribution opportunities.

To match its new opportunities, the company is finalizing plans to select a Southeast Wisconsin location for a new, 22,000-­square-­foot facility that it will occupy by the end of the year. Jenny Marino said the new facility will offer the company the opportunity to increase production, expand product lines and pursue additional channels. “Cybros was the foundation for our success, and Angelic is our future,” she said.

“Our family is thrilled with the success our company has achieved over the past three years. That growth has made it possible for us to make these changes now, and we feel very positive about what’s ahead. These changes are just the beginning of many more exciting, pure and delicious things to come.”

About Angelic Bakehouse Angelic Bakehouse is the only company in the central and eastern United States that uses freshly ground sprouted grains, whole grains in their purest form, to create natural, sprouted grain products that truly taste great – no cardboard aftertaste that consumers often find with healthier, good-­for-­you fare. Pure ingredients. Pure products. Pure quality. That’s what you can expect from Angelic Bakehouse. To find out more, or for Angelic Bakehouse retailers near you, visit www.AngelicBakehouse.com.

Terressentia, maker of unique, locally produced flavored alcoholic beverages, recently entered into a kosher certification agreement with OK Kosher Certification. The newly kosher certified products, under the brand name Local Choice, include Vodka, Strawberry Kiwi Flavored Vodka, Espresso Flavored Vodka, Fiery Pepper Flavored Vodka, Tequila, Titillating Pepper Tequila, Luscious Lime Tequila, Bourbon Whiskey, Black Cherry Flavored Bourbon Whiskey, Rum, Spiced Pixie Rum, Gin, and Mango Vodka Rum Mix.

Local Choice spirits have received top industry awards, including World Spirits Competition Bronze Award, SIPS Platinum Award, Best in Class Aged Products, Best Flavored Vodka Gold Medal, and many others. In addition to high quality, locally sourced ingredients and environmentally conscious production, kosher consumers can now rely on the superior kosher supervision of OK Kosher. The OK Kosher symbol, which is universally recognized as the highest caliber of kosher supervision and certifies some of the largest companies in the world, lends yet another layer of oversight to Local Choice products. The OK currently certifies over 500,000 kosher products. 55% of consumers who buy kosher products choose kosher products because they believe kosher to be a mark of health and safety and high quality control. Consumers can be assured that Local Choice spirits will enhance their social events while adhering to the highest level of kosher supervision.

For more information, please visit http://new.localchoice.us and www.ok.org.

Recently, the OK held its annual Mashgiach Conference at the Jewish Children’s Museum in Brooklyn, NY. Over 150 OK personnel and mashgichim were in attendance, including many from around the world.

Highlight of the Conference

The OK honored two outstanding mashgichim – Rabbi Favish Moster and Rabbi Yehudah Pink. Both rabbis were chosen for their dedication to upholding the rigorous kosher standards set forth by the OK and the sheer volume of work they do on behalf of the OK. In addition, the OK honored two of their Rabbinic Coordinators from the Israeli office – Rabbi Shmuel Levi and Rabbi Yeshaya Prizant, as well as the liaison between OK Headquarters and OK Israel, Rabbi Moshe Fox, for their dedication and exceptional work.

The OK also honored ConAgra Foods, a company who is making strides in increasing their kosher offerings, goes out of their way to uphold the highest kosher standards, and works well with their mashgichim and rabbis. ConAgra Foods, makers of Hunt’s ketchup, Wesson oil, Pam cooking spray, and countless other kosher products was represented by longtime employees and kosher liaisons Mr. Britt Nichols and Ms. Patty Harvey who were on hand to accept the award on behalf of ConAgra Foods.

In addition, the OK celebrated our longtime relationship with Mr.Willy Geeraerts, who is soon to retire from Barry Callebaut Chocolate, the premier producer of kosher chocolate.

Rabbi Levy, Kashrus Administrator, opened the conference with words of Torah and encouragement and a fascinating explanation of kosher chocolate production which has been transcribed in this issue of Kosher Spirit. Other speakers included noted lecturer Rabbi Yossi Jacobson, Rabbi Saul Emanuel, Executive Director of Montreal Kosher, Rabbi Ahron Haskel of OK Israel, and OK Rabbinic Coordinators Rabbi Yitzchak Hanoka and Rabbi Yitzchak Gornish. Rabbi Levy was also presented with Hakaras HaTov awards from three camps whose campers benefit greatly from his generous camp scholarship program.

The conference ended with a lavish buffet lunch allowing the rabbis to interact with each other and OK personnel.

A (kosher) formula is the recipe for a specific product certified by the OK. Each ingredient is listed, along with its kosher certificate, and the method of production is noted. We do not require the amounts of each ingredient used and the information is kept strictly confidential. When a product formula changes, it is crucial to submit the new formula so that it can be entered into the OK kosher management system.

Formulas can now be submitted through our paperless program and are subsequently evaluated by the Formula Department and supervising rabbi.

With a slogan of “Our ovens are always warm, and you are always welcome,” its no wonder that Sweet Tammy’s is known for its mouthwatering, kosher and dairy-free baked goods. They were recently recognized for their dedication to superb taste and quality with the “Best Flavors” award at the recent Kosherfest Expo at the Meadowlands.

Sweet Tammy’s natural ingredients and additive-free recipes produce cookies and breads with an authentic,homemade flavor. Each product is made from scratch, using fresh, premium ingredients. The irresistible cookies, breads and challah are certified OK kosher pareve and are available at Sweet Tammy’s Pittsburgh bakery and other fine retailers.

Visit Sweet Tammy’s for more information.

On November 27, Rabbi Chaim Fogelman and Rabbi Yankel Wilschanski represented OK Kosher Certification at Kellogg Company’s headquarters in Battle Creek, Michigan for an innovative kosher education seminar. Kellogg is always looking for ways to improve its kosher program and provide educational opportunities to its employees. Thanks to the superb organization of Ms. Michele Miller and Ms. Tanisha Sutton of Kellogg Company, over 60 personnel participated in the seminar. Rabbis Fogelman and Wilschanski met with key contacts Ms. Miller and Ms. Sutton following the presentation to company personnel about the basics of kosher observance and kosher certification.

The presentation, given by Rabbi Fogelman, OK’s Director of PR, Marketing & Education, was custom tailored to the unique audience at Kellogg Company and highlighted the Biblical instructions for kosher observance, relevant terminology and the different categories of kosher. Rabbi Fogelman also highlighted the steps necessary for kosher certification and the requirements for kosher production equipment. Finally, Rabbi Fogelman shared interesting data about kosher consumers in the United States and the rest of the world. Kellogg personnel participated in a lively question and answer session following the presentation.

The OK currently certifies hundreds of products from more than a dozen brands owned by Kellogg Company, including: Cheez-It, Grahams Crackers, Sandies, Zesta, Vienna Fingers, Gardenburger, Chips Deluxe Cookies, MorningStar Farms, Toasteds, E.L. Fudge, Club, 100 Calorie Right Bites, FudgeShoppe, Gripz, Town House, Lorna Linda and Wheatables.

Windham, NH (PRWEB)

HomeFree, LLC recently announced that HomeFree cookies have been selected as the About.com 2012 Readers’ Choice Award winner for best allergy friendly sweets. Now in its fifth year, the About.com Readers’ Choice Awards honor the best products, features and services across more than a dozen categories, ranging from technology to hobbies to parenting and more, as selected by its readers.

“This year’s Readers’ Choice Awards program had a record number of nominations submitted across dozens of categories and featured hundreds of finalists,” said Margot Weiss, managing editor, About.com. “We are thankful to all our readers for their participation and congratulate HomeFree on their success.”

HomeFree was started by Jill Robbins, a clinical psychologist and mom to a child with food allergies. Jill wanted to make it easier for people with special dietary needs to be included in social events that involve food. Jill is delighted to receive this award, saying “I am thankful to About.com for its ongoing focus on food allergies, and of course am very pleased with the growing excitement about our products and company as reflected by the outpouring of votes we received. We have heard from people that they voted for HomeFree cookies for many different reasons. Of course the biggest was the care we use for allergy safety, but the buzz was also about how delicious and healthy the cookies are not just for those with allergies but for everyone. People especially expressed appreciation that HomeFree cookies are natural or organic, non-GMO, and whole grain, and that most are now certified gluten free as well. Some people also told us that they love not only the cookies, but also supporting a small woman owned business and a B Corporation (bcorporation.net/homefree). We are grateful to HomeFree’s many fans for voting and for helping to spread the word.”

HomeFree cookies are available in retail stores nationally in 5 ounce and 6 ounce boxes. They also are available single serve for retail and for food service in a 10-pack point of sale box and a 100-pack bulk box, and bulk wrapped for food service in a 3 pound and a 10 pound box. All HomeFree products are certified kosher pareve by OK Kosher Certification.

HomeFree Gluten Free Vanilla Mini Cookies won a Best Snack Award 2011 from Shape Magazine, were a finalist for Best New Food at Natural Products Expo East 2011, and are being awarded on May 5th a Food & Beverage Product Innovations 2012 Award presented by the National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show.

Jill Robbins can be contacted at http://www.homefreetreats.com, [email protected], http://www.facebook.com/homefreetreats, http://www.twitter.com/homefreetreats, or telephone 800-552-7172 for more information.

In addition to the requirement that all ingredients (including anti-foam and other production aids) used to make a kosher product must be certified kosher, the equipment used to produce the product must meet kosher requirements as well. As previously discussed, meat and dairy products cannot be mixed or produced on the same equipment. In addition, if a product will be pareve (neutral), it cannot be produced on dairy or meat equipment.

In order to make used equipment suitable for kosher production, or to change a production line from meat or dairy to pareve, a special process, called kosherizing, must take place. Kosherizing is done by the rabbi assigned to your facility and involves a process of cleaning and purging the equipment of its non-kosher status. After all equipment is left idle for 24 hours, it is meticulously cleaned by facility staff and inspected for cleanliness by the rabbi. Then, depending on the type of equipment, the rabbi oversees the actual kosherization. There are a few methods, which vary based on the equipment, and include boiling, use of steam, and purging through direct contact with fire.

Once this process is complete, the production equipment becomes kosher according to Jewish law. Kosherization is also required to produce Passover products in a facility that was used to produce other products during the year.

DigitalKosher has added another layer of flexibility for customers that wish to create their own custom kosher certificates online. In addition to the ability to create a certificate with all your items on it, you can also click to “Create a certificate with specific items” from the Custom Kosher Certification Letters page. After choosing which labeler you need your certificate for, you can search your product list using specific criteria (or no criteria at all) and Select All products or only specific products that come up in the search results to add to a custom kosher certificate.