Frequently Asked Questions
General
- I am allergic to / sensitive to sucrose / fructose – what do you recommend for me?
Our Agave Syrup is a minimally processed natural certified organic sweetener. It’s a concentrated food - essentially a concentrated cactus juice - and just like any concentrated fruit juice (or honey, for that matter) it should be consumed in moderation. The sugars in our Agave Syrup are in the same form as honey and fruits and are processed by the body in a similar way. It is low GI and diabetic friendly but people with fructose intolerance should avoid it. Please see the following article for a more in-depth analysis of agave and whether you should consume it.
We’ve heard from some diabetics that our Agave Syrup is the only sweetener that they can consume, and we’ve also had feedback from people that agave doesn’t agree with them. We’re all different and we’ve found that the best results come from listening to our bodies. We have a number of alternatives –Yacon Syrup, Coconut Sugar and Coconut Nectar.
Coconut Sugar is very low in fructose content – about 5%. Yacon consists of 35% free and 25% bonded fructose and is considered by many to be beneficial for people suffering from diabetes.
If in doubt, we recommend that you consult your doctor or naturopath. To determine what suits you, start with very small doses and discover how your body responds.
- How do I open a wholesale account with Loving Earth?
Please contact our customer service team who will be more than happy to talk you though the process.
- What is fair trade? Are your products fair trade certified?
Fair trade is a concept that supports producers in developing countries. It allows them to receive a fair payment for their product, with better trading conditions and higher standards of social equity. It also places emphasis on environmental responsibility and promotes sustainability.
All of the cacao and coconut sugar that we source is fair trade certified by either the Fair trade labelling organisation or Control Union under their Fair Choice standard please see each product for specific detials. Loving Earth is 100% committed to providing our growers with the best price we can for their produce, which is often above the standard fair trade rate and never below it.
The majority of our ingredients are sourced directly from small producer groups and we pay them a premium that is significantly above the benchmark commodity prices. We verify that the wider local community in which the producer is based benefits from the sale of the product through education, health care and various other resources and projects.
Where the producers are members of third party fair trade programs we mention this on their grower page.
- I have dairy / gluten intolerance – can I consume your products?
No ingredients that contain gluten or dairy are processed in our facility.
- I have an allergy to nuts; can I still eat your chocolate?
All of our Chocolate's contain nuts and are not suitable for those with nut allergies
- Is your packaging eco-friendly?
Since our products are raw, organic and preservative free, they are extremely sensitive to oxygen and moisture and require specialised packaging. This ensures the integrity of the nutrients and quality of the product are maintained for its entire life cycle.
Our packaging choices are designed to have the lowest possible negative impact on the environment whilst ensuring that the quality of the product is upheld. As the technology of environmentally friendly packaging evolves, we’re continually upgrading our packaging to find solutions that meet our needs on all levels.
Our 30g chocolate range is a good example. Wishing to invest all aspects of this product with meaning, we worked for a long time to find environmentally friendly packaging, eventually sourcing one made from 75% plant-based fully compostable material.
All of our chocolate boxes are made with 100% post-consumer recyclable card paper using vegetable based inks. The clear film packet enclosing the chocolate inside the boxes is 100% compostable.
Our Agave Syrup, Coconut Nectar, Superfood jars and Raw Butters are all packaged in glass, which is eternally recyclable. For our packing material we use compostable Bio-Fill. The cans which we use for Coconut Sugar, Drinking Chocolate, Cacao Powder and Maca Powder are made from recycled board.
We are currently working towards finding better alternatives to the current clear plastic stand up bags.
We also offer bulk sizes (to everyone, not just wholesale customers) to save on waste from packaging.
Our packaging is entirely BPA free.
- Where are your products made?
Most of our products are made in-house at our production facility in Melbourne.
Other products which require a minimal amount of processing are processed in facilities run by the grower associations in their place of origin. Not only does this retain the highest possible levels of nutrition and freshness in the products, but also adds value and creates more avenues of income for the producers, their families and the overall community.
- What is ‘activating’? Why do you activate nuts?
Activating nuts makes them easier to digest and allows our body to absorb more of the nutrients inside of them.
Most nuts are activated by soaking them in water for anywhere from 15 minutes to 24 hours, depending on the type of nut.
- What quality control measures do you adopt?
Our chocolate factory is HACCP certified and both our factories are audited and registered with the local council health department every year and we have a diligent quality control and assurance department.
Our products are organic and grown as close to their natural state as possible - without any genetic modification and a minimum of external interference. This means that they may sometimes not look as ‘uniform’ as mass-grown produce. Some of the nuts and fruits we use are not selected, i.e. they are not of the same size and taste.
We always endeavour to maintain the highest standards in taste and quality. Should our products not match your expectations, kindly send them back to us and we will replace what you purchased. We really appreciate when people let the Loving Earth customer service team know about any quality issues they encounter. This way we can take action to fine tune our production methods where required. Contact us.
- Are your products suitable for children?
Our products are perfectly safe as long as they’re consumed in moderate quantities.
As far as superfoods are concerned, modify the serving relative to weight - if your child weighs about a third of the average adult, then give them a third of the recommended dose. Please consult your doctor or naturopath for individual sensitivities.
- Are your products safe to use during pregnancy?
Since we are not registered health practitioners we cannot give this kind of advice. It's important that your doctor or naturopath is consulted in relation to this question.
Superfoods that are suggested unsafe during pregnancy include:
- Bee pollen. Not safe to consume while pregnant or breastfeeding.
- Camu camu, maca and purple corn extract should not be consumed during pregnancy.
- Your products look amazing, but I have no idea how to use them. Is there somewhere on the website where I can find recipes or suggestions?
Of course! There is a ‘How to use’ section on the left hand side of every product page. You can also view recipes using the product by clicking on the ‘recipes’ tab below the ‘How to use’ section. Alternatively, go to our recipes page and find out how to use our products in delicious meals from mains and snacks to drinks and desserts.
- Do I need to keep Loving Earth products refrigerated?
We recommend storing our products in a cool, dark, dry place. Some people prefer to store nuts in the refrigerator.
Since our chocolate is raw and preservative free, it should be stored at cool temperatures. Due to our production and tempering methods, our Coconut Sugar Chocolate range is less likely to melt than our Agave Chocolate range (with the exception of Coconut Mylk Chocolate). Read more about our chocolate production here - Loving Earth Blog.
- Where can I buy your products?
You can buy our products right here on this site and have them delivered to your door. If you prefer a physical outlet, please refer to our Stockists page to find the one nearest to you.
- How can I find the nearest stockist?
Please refer to our Stockists page.
Simply type in your suburb or postcode and click on the search button to find a stockist close to you.