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Frequently asked questions

1. Are our products Gluten Free/suitable for a celiac diet?
2. Are our products suitable for Vegetarians?
3. Are our products suitable for Vegans?
4. Can the oils be used for other uses such as Massage?
5. Are our products suitable for a low salt diet?
6. Are our products suitable for a Nut Free diet?
7. Are our products suitable for someone following the Kosher or Halal diet?
8. How are they made? (Tapenades and Oils)
9. What is the smoke point / flash point of the oil?
10. What are saturates / monounsaturates / polyunsaturates / trans fat?
11. Why is my oil cloudy? What should I do?
12. Is the sediment in my vinegar safe to consume?
13. How should I store my oils and speciality foods?
14. Does International Collection Hazelnut Oil contain Palmitoleic acid?
15. Do your products contain GMOs?
16. Do your products contain trans fats?
17. Do your products contain allergens?
18. Do your products contain additives?
19. Are agricultural chemicals used?
20. What are your general views on quality?

Answers

1. Are our products Gluten Free/suitable for a celiac diet?

   All of our International Collection Oil and Vinegar products are gluten free and therefore suitable for a Celiac diet. International Tapenades are also gluten free and again suitable for a Celiac diet.

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2. Are our products suitable for Vegetarians?

   All International Collection products are suitable for Vegetarians.

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3. Are our products suitable for Vegans?

   All International Collection products are suitable for Vegans.

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4. Can the oils be used for other uses such as Massage?

   The main oils which have other uses are: Safflower, Grapeseed and Sweet Almond. These could be used as a bath or massage oil.

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5. Are our products suitable for a low salt diet?

   All International Collection Oils and Vinegars are suitable for a low salt diet.

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6. Are our products suitable for a Nut Free diet?

   Where nuts are used in products, they are clearly labelled. Other products are made on machinery and in a facility which does pack nut products. Every effort is taken to clean the machinery by flushing with clean oil, however caution is recommended. International Collection Tapenades are packed in a nut free area.

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7. Are our products suitable for someone following the Kosher or Halal diet?

   All International Collection oils are produced under Kosher conditions, however are not certified. International Collection Grapeseed Oil, Vinegars, and Tapenades are not suitable for a Kosher diet

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8. How are they made? (Tapenades and Oils)

   Oils are extracted from a source material and refined if necessary for the purpose. Tapenades are made in a small batch process.

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9. What is the smoke point / flash point of the oil?

   International Collection Groundnut and Grapeseed - Smoke point - 392°c, Flash point - 617°c. International Collection Stir Fry oil, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Olive Oil, Infused Oils, Flavored Oils, Dipping Oils and Almond Oil - Smoke point 302°c and a flash point of 572°c

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10. What are saturates / monounsaturates / polyunsaturates / trans fat?

    Chemically these are all made up differently and therefore act differently in the body. Intake of saturates in general should be minimised. High levels of monosaturates are generally thought to be beneficial. Reasonably high levels of polyunsaturates are generally thought to be beneficial. Trans fats overall have a similar effect to saturates, so should therefore be minimized where possible. See Health section.

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11. Why is my oil cloudy? What should I do?

    The natural properties of some oils mean that they will become cloudy either due to the content of monounsaturated or when cold. This will obviously be worse in the winter months. These are safe to consume when cloudy. However, the cloudiness can be rectified by placing the bottle in a warm area or by standing the bottle in some warm water. Oils more prone to going cloudy are: Olive Oil, Groundnut Oil, Avocado Oil, Flax seed Oil and Sesame Oil. Depending on the oil, this can look like a haze or small round pearls at the bottom of the bottle.

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12. Is the sediment in my vinegar safe to consume?

    Yes, it is a natural reaction within the vinegar and is therefore perfectly safe to consume.

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13. How should I store my oils and speciality foods?

    In general oils should be stored in a cool dark place. It is not necessary to put oils in the fridge. Putting the oils in the fridge will not damage them; however will make some oils like Olive more difficult to use.

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14. Does International Collection Hazelnut Oil contain Palmitoleic acid?

    Our Hazelnut Oil does not contain this acid as it depends on the type of Hazelnuts used.

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15. Do your products contain GMOs?

    Our company policy is to not use any ingredients that contain, or are derived from GMO. Where necessary, we obtain relevant guarantees from suppliers that materials are non GMO.

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16. Do your products contain trans fats?

    All of our products are trans fat free.

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17. Do your products contain allergens?

    Some oils we supply (e.g. nut oils and Toasted Sesame Oil) contain allergenic materials. It is our policy to ensure that these are clearly labeled, and to ensure that the handling of allergenic materials minimizes the risk of cross contamination of products that do not contain allergens.

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18. Do your products contain additives?

    There is minimal use of additives in our products and these are only used where absolutely necessary. Where used, they will be declared in ingredients lists.

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19. Are agricultural chemicals used?

    The main chemicals that might be used during growing are pesticides and herbicides. We perform regular surveys of products to ensure residual amounts of such chemicals comply with current regulations for maximum residue limits.

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20. What are your general views on quality?

    All raw materials and finished products are analyzed by our in-house laboratory to ensure quality standards are met.

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