Products FAQ

• Allergens
• Problems
• Special Diets
• Ingredients & Quality Standards
• Nutritional Information
• Finding a Product
• Safety and Handling
• Other Product Questions

Allergens in food

Food allergies are increasing in frequency and intensity. The reasons are not yet clear but it is more important than ever that consumers be fully informed of potential allergens in food. The new food labeling law, which went into effect in January, 2006, is a big step in helping consumers make more informed choices.

What are the major food allergens?

Collectively called the "Big 8," they are milk, egg, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, soy, and wheat.

Are the major food allergens listed on food labels?

Yes. Since January, 2006, federal law requires that all major food allergens be clearly stated on the nutrition label of all packaged foods that contain them.

Are allergens listed for food that is not packaged?

Generally, no. Restaurants and other vendors who sell bulk or individual servings are not required to list allergens. However, Whole Foods Market is voluntarily listing all major allergens contained in the prepared food we sell in various departments of our stores. We are in the process of creating allergen listings anywhere that we use an "Ingredients:" listing in our stores.

Some product labels state "Made in a facility that also processes peanuts." (or other major allergen). Should I worry about cross-contamination?

Possibly. Manufacturers try to maintain good quality hygienic processes that reduce the probability of cross-contamination but it cannot be ruled out. Our policy is to follow USDA and FDA labeling guidelines, which require a warning for any risk of cross-contamination with any of the top 8 allergens that may not be removed by proper cleaning procedures. This includes the wording "May contain traces of..."

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Problems

How to resolve a problem regarding a product or service

Any problem or concern regarding a product you've purchased at Whole Foods Market is best resolved at your local store. Please contact the Shift Leader on duty or the Team Leader of the appropriate department.

Why doesn't Whole Foods Market have an 800 number?

We are a decentralized company that gives local stores full authority to resolve customer issues. Local stores have all the necessary information to deal with product issues, including allergens, special diet requirements and other concerns. If personnel at a local store cannot adequately answer your question, you can contact us or phone the appropriate regional office.

If you are looking for a store near you, we do offer an automated toll-free number to help you find a store near you; simply dial 1-888-SHOP WFM.

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Special Diets

Whole Foods Market is a leader in offering foods for special diets. Please see our section on Special Diets for information.

I've been diagnosed with Celiac Disease and must avoid gluten. Does Whole Foods Market offer gluten-free products?

Yes. Whole Foods Market is a leader in offering gluten-free products. We have a separate baking facility that is dedicated exclusively to the creation of gluten-free products, which eliminates the possibility of cross-contamination. For more information, see our section on gluten-free living.

How can I find out about special diet products you carry?

In addition to contacting your local Whole Foods Market, specialized special diets shopping lists individualized by store are available on our special diet page.

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Ingredients and Quality Standards

We carry natural and organic products because we believe that food in its purest state—unadulterated by artificial additives, sweeteners, colorings, and preservatives—is the best tasting and most nutritious food available.

• We carefully evaluate each and every product we sell.
• We feature foods that are free of artificial preservatives, colors, flavors, sweeteners, and hydrogenated fats.
• We are passionate about great tasting food and the pleasure of sharing it with others.
• We are committed to foods that are fresh, wholesome and safe to eat.
• We seek out and promote organically grown foods.
• We provide food and nutritional products that support health and well-being.

Learn more about our Quality Standards.

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Nutritional Information

The FDA's Nutritional Labeling & Education Act of 1994 requires that most food packages be labeled with nutritional information. The regulations exempt ready-to-eat foods prepared primarily on site, such as deli and bakery items and restaurant food. Additionally, nutritional information is voluntary for raw fruits and vegetables, meat, fish and poultry.

We strive to make nutritional information on all of our products available to our customers whenever possible. Rather than having a national list of approved recipes, each of our regional and in-store chefs develops hundreds of recipes, often based on local and seasonal ingredients. For example, we want our chefs to be able to react quickly when a bumper crop of blueberries is locally available, and create exciting dishes featuring this special ingredient. Due to this flexible system, the time-consuming data analysis necessary to create nutrition labels is not always possible. Due to the high volume of recipes and their seasonal nature, we suggest you contact your local store for more information on specific dishes that are of interest to you.

Rest assured that even if nutritional specifics are not available, exact ingredients in all of our prepared foods, bakery and deli items are always accessible.

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Finding or Requesting a Product

If you cannot find a particular product in your local Whole Foods Market, contact any of the knowledgeable Team Members or a Shift Leader from that store.

Special Orders are always welcomed for products that meet our quality standards and are available through our suppliers.

If you cannot find a specific product, please bear in mind this may be because it:

• may not meet our quality standards
• is seasonal and is currently out of season
• may have been replaced by a competing product
• may no longer exist
• may be available at one store but not at another because each store enjoys a large measure of independence regarding product inventory.

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Safety and Handling

How do I know if the product I opened is still safe to eat?

Due to the variety of circumstances, we cannot give advice on the safety of consuming products after the container has been opened. According to the Partnership of Food Safety Education, perishables should be refrigerated within two hours of purchase or use. Discard any food product exhibiting changed color, odor, or taste.

Here are some additional resources you can check concerning food safety.

• Partnership for Food Safety Education
• Food and Drug Administration's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition
• U.S. Department of Agriculture
• Food Safety and Inspection Service

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Other product questions

Can I purchase Whole Foods Market products online?

No, we do not have an online store and currently have no plans for one, however, you can view current store features and specials on line.

Do you sell products that contain palm oil? If so, what do you do to ensure the sustainable sourcing of palm oil?

Yes, we do sell products containing palm oil. We do not have a formal policy on the sourcing of palm oil specifically, but the buyers for our Whole Foods Market family of brands include sustainability as one of the many criteria they use to evaluate products. We are currently developing specific standards to ensure that all palm oil used for private label products is sourced from suppliers that utilize sustainable practices. We will be working closely to ensure that all of our suppliers are registered with the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil or a similar organization. RSPO is a global organization committed to the promotion and development of sustainable harvesting practices for palm oil throughout the world. Whole Foods market does not have any formal standard with regard to the palm oil used by branded (non-WFM) vendors.

Have a question not answered here? See our Customer Service page.