WHERE IS OSTRO ORGANICS INC. BASED?
Ostro Organic Inc. is based in Victoria B.C. Canada
YOUR MOST COMMON QUESTIONS - Q&A
DO YOU HAVE A STORE FRONT?
No, currently we sell direct, thru farmers markets, selected retailers and festivals.
HOW DO OSTRO ORGANICS OILS STAND OUT FROM REGULAR OILS?
We offer extra cold pressed, fresh, unrefined, raw and uncommon oils in certified organic and not mechanically filtered, premium quality.
WHO CERTIFIES OSTRO ORGANICS INC. AND WHAT IS YOU CERTIFICATION NUMBER?
We are certified by the Pacific Agricultural Certification Society (PACS) Our certification number is PACS 16-661
DO YOU GROW THE ORGANIC NUTS AND SEED YOUR SELF?
No, we source them thru distributors and farmers.
WHERE ARE THE ORGANIC SEEDS SOURCED FROM AND WHY?
Primarily from Canada. Most of the seeds are currently from Saskatchewan, Ontario and B.C. Due to the climate and short harvest season, not all crops can be sourced from Canada.
WHERE ARE THE ORGANIC NUTS SOURCED FROM AND WHY?
Primarily from Europe. Less treated and less likely to be contaminated with certain pesticides.
ARE YOUR ORGANIC NUTS STEAM PASTEURIZED?
No.
ARE YOUR ORGANIC NUTS RADIATED?
No.
DOES OSTRO ORGANICS MANUFACTURE PEANUTS?
No.
HOW DO YOU MAKE SURE YOUR PRODUCTS ARE PEANUT FREE?
We have our products tested on peanut traces.
ARE ALL YOUR PRODUCTS NUT FREE?
No, Ostro Organic manufactures organic walnut oil, organic almond oil and organic hazelnut oil.
HOW DO YOU PREVENT CROSS CONTAMINATION OF NUTS AND SEED OILS?
Ostro Organics uses two oil presses, one for nuts and one for seeds.
WHAT ELSE DO YOU DO TO PREVENT CROSS CONTAMINATION OF NUT AND SEED OILS?
We press and bottle nut oils on different days than seed oils using different oil barrels and tools.
HOW DO YOU MAKE SURE YOUR ORGANIC NUT PRODUCTS DO NOT CONTAIN ANY SALMONELLA CONTAMINATION?
All our products undergo periodic lab testing for salmonella. In addition when purchasing nuts, a lab test is sent to us.
WHAT IS THE SHELF OF YOUR PRODUCT? HOW DO I STORE IT?
The shelf life of raw, cold pressed, organic oils is one year. Store cool and refrigerated and out of direct sun light.
WHY ARE THE PRODUCTS SO EXPENSIVE?
In general the crops are hard to source. Certified organic, raw, unpasteurized and cleaned. We use the highest graded nuts and seeds that can also be used for snacking. In addition we press under very little pressure, extra cold (between 17°Celsius and 27°Celsius) and very slow. This enables us to obtain roughly two thirds of yield, 66,66%. More yield can be obtained by adding heat, pressure and roasting the nuts and seeds before pressing them.
In addition, pressing such high quality oils is also time consuming, labor intensive and costly.
WHY AREN’T ALL NUTS AND SEEDS SOURCED FROM CANADA?
The bulk of Canadian seeds are being exported to the U.S., Europe and Asia. It is often very difficult to get your hands on Canadian crops since a lot of farmers work under contract of big and mid-sized corporations. Canada’s climate is not ideal for all crops especially large organic nut farms. Most nut trees/bushes can not withstand long, cold winters.
WHAT INFLUENCES THE PRICE OF ORGANIC NUTS AND SEEDS?
The price of nuts and seeds is driven by world demand and supply. Extreme weather conditions, storms, hurricanes and drought have a negative impact on most crops.
In addition a lot of farmers choose to grow non-organic, high yield crops that are easier to harvest, clean and sell with more profit, rather than planting organic, rare, low yield, slower growing crops that are more vulnerable to mother nature. Organic nuts and seeds are also an expensive commodity because they are generally traded on the world markets in US Dollars, no matter where the crops are grown.
The fluctuation between the Canadian and the US Dollar usually drives the prices for most commodities up as well as higher demand for certain nuts and seeds.
ARE THE PRODUCTS GLUTEN FREE?
Yes, all our products are gluten free.
ARE THE PRODUCTS VEGAN?
Yes, all products are vegan.
WHAT IS MEANT BY RAW OIL?
Our products have not been heated or been exposed to heat above 40–49 °C
Buying Guide
Buy Freshly Pressed
Look when the oil was pressed. In doubt, contact the oil mill and ask. If the oil-mill is not listed on the label, be cautions and look for an alternative.
Buy Un-Filtered
Filtration systems have advanced so much, that most of the trace elements are removed of the oils. This processing step makes oils last much longer and increases the heat point, big looser in this process are the nutrients. Therefore put emphasis on finding cold-pressed oils that are not mechanically filtered and unrefined!
Buy Unrefined
Buy Unrefined as as little processed cold-pressed oils as possible. The more processed the oils are, the less nutrients are naturally left in the oil.
Buy RAW When Possible
Most Pumpkin Seed Oils, although cold-pressed, are first roasted, toasted and boiled. This relieves a dark green color and nutty flavour. Great for culinary uses, not so great when looking at the nutritional profile. Cold-Pressed and raw oils contain more of the nutrients.
Buy Certified Organic
Certified Organic is important in foods that you consume with your health in mind. Many cleaning detergents that are used in conventional processing facilities are banned in the organic processing environment. Also, organic farming when done right is also a more sustainable way of agriculture ensuring the fertility of land for future generations.
Buy From an Oil Mill You can Trust
Look for an oil mill in your neighborhood. Support the family-owned oil-mills that are left. Ostro Organics Oil-Mill is located in Victoria B.C. Canada and we love to supply you with the highest quality, certified organic oils. If we find an oil mill in your area that produces similar high quality cold-pressed oils, we will let you know!
