Frequently Asked Questions

• Why Yogavive^®?
• How do Yogavive^® products compare to fresh fruit?
• What is the USDA Organic difference to me?
• How is organic better for the environment?
• What are the standards that define “certified organic”?
• What is the difference between organic and natural?
• What is biodiversity?
• What is a carbon footprint?
• As a company that sources globally, how do you justify your carbon footprint incurred via product shipping?
• Why shouldn’t I only buy locally grown and processed products?
• Your label says “with other natural flavors” – What does this mean exactly?
• Then why are the Original and Cinnamon Apple Chips labeled as “100% Organic”, while the others are labeled simply as “Organic”?
• What are these natural flavors made of?
• How do you make your chips?

Why Yogavive^®?

Firstly, Yogavive^® fruit snacks taste great! Kids love ‘em…adults love ‘em…and they’re naturally good for you.

Furthermore, Yogavive^® sources organic fruit the world over to bring you healthy fruit snacks. Our global sourcing operations ensure year-round supply with the minimum possible carbon footprint. We strive where possible to source from farms that use as little mechanization as possible, thus providing employment and reducing the required energy inputs in our fruit cultivation. We also, where possible, source from biodynamic farms so that our operations disturb the planet as little as possible. We do our best to make a difference.

How do Yogavive^® products compare to fresh fruit

All of our fruit snacks maintain the nutrients and flavor of fresh fruit. We continuously strive to offer our customers convenient and creative ways to enjoy their daily fruit intake. Nutritional information for our products is available both on our website and on packaging.

What is the USDA Organic difference to me?

All of our products are USDA NOP certified organic. This means that all of our fruit is grown in a pesticide and chemical free soil environment which means that harmful chemicals do not make their way into the fruit and therefore into your body. Mounting evidence suggests that organic produce maintains higher levels of nutrients than conventional fruit.

How is organic better for the environment?

No chemicals or pesticides mean naturally healthy soil which encourages the return of biodiversity to the agricultural system. Natural fertilizers mean no harmful runoff in to surrounding watersheds.

What are the standards that define “certified organic”?

When a grower or processor is “certified organic,” a USDA accredited public or private organization has verified that the business meets or exceeds the standards set forth in the USDA Organic Rule. In October 2002 the first U.S. National Organic Standards were introduced. Margaret Wittenberg, Vice President of Governmental and Public Affairs for Whole Foods Market, played a leading role in the development of the standards. According to Wittenberg, “These standards will help consumers make more informed choices, as they establish the first national guidelines for the production and handling of organically produced products, including labeling requirements for products that are 100 percent organic, organic and made with organic ingredients.” Consumers can rest assured that the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), sewage sludge and ionizing radiation (irradiation) are strictly prohibited throughout organic food production.

What is the difference between organic and natural?

‘Natural’ often is misrepresented in product labelng to imply ‘healthful,’ but ‘natural’ only means that the product has undergone minimal processing. Unlike products that are certified organic, natural products have no certification or inspection system. Also, ‘natural’ does not necessarily relate to growing methods or the use of preservatives.

What is biodiversity?

Biodiversity means the naturally occurring harmony of flora and fauna in an environmental system. Imagine the happy balance of a natural forest, trees provide food and shelter for cute fuzzy critters, which in turn disperse their seeds far and wide, allowing the forest to spread and regenerate. In the context of organic farming, biodiversity means a return to emulating the methods of natural systems.

What is a carbon footprint?

This is a term that describes the amount of carbon emitted by a given activity. Examples of this are animal wastes, oil-based fertilizers, engine emissions, and power generation (fossil fuel based).

As a company that sources globally, how do you justify your carbon footprint incurred via product shipping?

Produce is sourced around the globe to ensure continuous annual supply. By removing moisture from the fruit during our processing activities, we effectively reduce the weight of product being shipped compared to fresh fruit shipments. Our products therefore leave a smaller carbon footprint than fresh fruit counterparts.

Why shouldn’t I only buy locally grown and processed products?

Buying only local products would vastly limit a consumer’s options. Furthermore, there are many examples of imported products that have a smaller carbon footprint than those grown locally. For example, if you wanted to eat local apples year-round then you would have to refrigerate them using energy. Importing apples from different areas during cyclical harvests can actually reduce the total carbon footprint versus storing local produce for year round consumption. Another good example is that industrialized countries employ mechanized farming techniques which rely on fossil fuels. Developing nations often use more labour intensive farming methods, thereby reducing fossil fuel dependency while maintaining local employment. Transport costs from such locations to developed countries often yield a lower carbon footprint than local (mechanized) foodstuffs.

Your label says “with other natural flavors” – What does this mean exactly?

Yogavive^®’s Apple Chips are made using only natural ingredients. Our Caramel, Peach and Strawberry varieties are what is called, “WONF” – with other natural flavors. These flavors are derived from wholly natural sources and are not chemically synthesized. For example, these natural flavors are made from fruit juices derived from real peaches and real strawberries, or sugar, for the Caramel variety.
 
These natural flavors are used only to enhance the product’s flavor, and not much different than your favorite fruit juice company mixing water with your fruit juice.

Then why are the Original and Cinnamon Apple Chips labeled as “100% Organic”, while the others are labeled simply as “Organic”?

Both Original and Cinnamon Yogavive^® Apple Chips are NOP certified 100% Organic, as certified by both the USDA and EcoCert. The cinnamon that we use is pure organic cinnamon. Our Strawberry, Peach and Caramel varieties are also certified Organic with a minimal percentage (5%) of ingredients consisting of the naturally-derived WONF flavors.
 
While our WONF flavors are naturally derived from real, honest-to-gosh fruit, guidelines view these flavors as non-organically derived natural flavors, since you can’t go pick a ‘natural flavoring’ off a tree (no matter how naturally derived)!

What are these natural flavors made of?

Our natural flavors contain natural fruit extracts (WONF), water and minimal amounts of necessary food-grade ethyl alcohol, used as a base.
 
According to our French flavor supplier, “Flavor obtained through a simple mix of natural flavoring substances, and then natural extracts on alcoholic support, in accordance with EEC 88/388.”
 
In simpler terms, our flavors do NOT contain synthesized chemicals, only naturally derived components.
Essentially, our Peach variety contains peach extracts and the Strawberry variety has strawberry… and so on.

How do you make your chips?

We first lightly bake our fruit, then add in our wonderful organic/natural flavors. Next, we take away the air to ‘pop’ the apples and impart an extremely light and crunchy texture, with all the flavor sealed in. Some brands you’ll find are fried in oil, but we think this is a big no no with fruit. Others fully bake, but this can be a little too, well, overdone. Basic drying is great, but results in a very chewy texture. Freeze drying can be crumbly fun, but we feel our popping gives you a more flavorful and healthful snack.