Sourcing Botanicals
At Mountain Rose Herbs the first criteria for purchasing botanicals is the potential social and environmental impact that the purchase of the material may make. This not only applies to materials from overseas, but here in the U.S. as well. We have a strict policy that guarantees workers a fair market value for the goods they produce and that any items we purchase from countries outside of the U.S. have a clean human rights record. We have dropped items altogether and refused to carry particular products because laborers were not given an equal voice, a fair wage, or because we felt sensitive bioregions were being compromised. Our first choice is always certified organic, and if organic is not available we will choose a wildharvested or "cultivated without chemicals" variety. If wild gathered material is harvested then each gatherer must fill out a "wild take audit" to ensure that indigenous populations have only undergone a 10% take and that they have not been over-picked, or disrespected. All materials from overseas are scrutinized for soil, water, and fertilizer quality and we request that materials are grown in regions or provinces that have a stellar reputation for their cleanliness and environmental purity.
Quality In The Field
Mountain Rose Herbs currently has more than 8 organic farm operations producing some of our most popular botanicals, and each one is routinely visited for full organic and quality control compliance. In addition to this, we occasionally visit some of our non-farm sources to investigate and monitor all of the quality control points, which includes inspection of the grounds, reviewing the harvesting methods, and surveying the final material. Since 1987 we have built solid foundations with suppliers who consistently provide quality herbs and spices with respect to each of our very stringent standards.
Quality Before And After Receipt
Before any botanicals are allowed into our facilities we request a "pre-ship" sample for analysis. This sample is analyzed using Organoleptic methods and if approved, it is authorized for order. Once the material comes in, it is immediately tested for a moisture count using a high tech digital analyzer which can give us a precise moisture count found in herbs and spices. (Materials with high counts are susceptible to mold, fungus, and bacterial outbreaks) If too much moisture is found then the items are sent back immediately.
If the item passes the preliminary moisture testing then it is sent to the lab for full analysis.
Laboratory Testing
Mountain Rose Herbs is the first retail botanical products company to establish and run a full analytical lab. Here is where botanicals are extensively analyzed and measured for total quality control, and any potential threats to human health. If any material does not pass strict approval limits, it is immediately sent back to the processing facilities it came from.
Testing methods employed are:
Organoleptic Testing
Despite all the advances in analytical technology, the human senses have proven to be superior in determining a quality product. This is evidenced by the fact that machines have not yet replaced the professional wine, food or cheese critic. Organoleptic testing includes, color, flavor, texture, aroma, and size.
Moisture Count Analysis
Using the latest in technology we siphon feed samples into a digital analyzer to give us a precise measure of a particular herbs moisture count. Material that is too moist is prone to mold, fungus, and bacterial outbreaks. If an item reads higher then 12.8% then we refuse it.
Microscopy and Petri-Grid Analysis
This technique reveals the cellular structure of botanicals to determine identity, adulteration, extraneous matter and general cleanliness. Methods include 400x zoom microscopy and "Grid Sampling" materials to isolate foreign matter. This helps us in determining general filth, mammalian excreta and other non-allowed matter. Material that is filthy or having high levels of extraneous matter is sent back immediately.
Microbiological Testing
Mountain Rose Herbs tests for threatening food borne bacteria, mold, and yeast. This is done to insure human safety, and the health of our customers. We test for E. coli, Salmonella, Total Bacteria, Yeast, Mold, and Coliforms.
Heavy Metal Testing
Heavy metals (Lead, Mercury, Cadmium, etc) can be lethal and in a recent survey conducted in Canada it was found that many herbs and spices contained threatening levels of heavy metals, much of which is naturally occurring. All herbs and spices at Mountain Rose Herbs are tested for heavy metals and they must pass acceptable levels or they will not be offered to our customers.
Ash Testing
Ash testing allows us to break down samples by 600+ degree burning, which helps us determine the amount of dust, dirt, rock and foreign matter found in the material. Botanicals with Ash levels exceeding 6% to 10% are refused.
pH Testing
pH leveling through the latest in digital equipment allows us to record all pH levels found in each lot of material. This helps assist our customers with pH sensitive diets and it also gives us additional insurance in meeting required pH levels for particular botanicals. If a pH reading is too high or low for what is generally accepted then we will suspect cross contamination with other materials.
Pesticide And Chemical Residue Testing
For all botanicals that are cultivated without chemicals, we take one additional step to guarantee that they are free from all chemical and pesticide residues. This process is done through testing procedures that check for up to 100 known and commonly found pesticides, organophosphates, and chemicals. A pesticide residue analysis is available upon request.
Monitoring Quality
In order to guarantee you a true quality product, we continue our high standards in the warehouse.
Within our facilities and in our day to day work schedules, the Quality Control team routinely checks and logs each and every facet within our warehouse and production rooms. These routine checks help us in monitoring and recording cleaning schedules, maintaining equipment sterilization, performing swab sampling to test for surface cleanliness, and completing daily checklists for facility cleanliness, which include strict pest control practices.
All of this is done throughout receipt, handling, processing and packaging to ensure the quality of all finished products.
Other practices employed by the Quality Control team include the enforcement of strict temperature controlled settings for our facility. All materials are kept from exposure to light (both natural and artificial), all warehouse moisture is digitally monitored and it is never allowed to exceed 50% at any time, and the entire warehouse has a stabilized temperature of 68-70 degrees.
Freshness Dating
All bulk botanical products that are shipped from Mountain Rose Herbs are stamped and labeled with "Packed On" dates, which helps the buyer in monitoring the shelf life of their material. Because shelf lives vary from product to product, we include freshness guidelines with each order.
Turnover Rate
All the herbs and spices stocked and processed by Mountain Rose Herbs were purchased strategically so when the product arrives in its freshest state we will be able to present it to you within a short period of time from harvest. Most suppliers will usually purchase quantities large enough to last them 1-2 years, and often we have found some suppliers purchasing inventories large enough to last 3-4 years! Botanicals that are this aged are useless. You can depend on Mountain Rose Herbs to deliver fresh material that is usually within 1-3 months of harvest, with the exception of seasonal items.
Handling
Our trained and qualified staff handle these botanicals with absolute precision and care. All products are accurately labeled, true to botanical type, processed under hygienic conditions, and handled with professionalism. All of the warehouse staff at Mountain Rose Herbs have gone through mandatory Organic Handling Training created by OTA and recognized by the USDA and a strict set of protocols are put into place surrounding the proper treatment and storage of dried botanicals. In addition to proper organic handling, all of our facilities staff and all of the systems in place are modeled after, and working in harmony with cGMP's.
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