FAQ Koppert Cress and Food Safety

The descriptions talk about vegetable sprouts. Does this include cress?
In daily practice, cress and sprouts are often described as vegetable sprouts. However, that’s where the similarity stops. Cress is a living plant with roots, stems and leaves, which can grow into real plants. They are cultivated at a normal temperature and grow in a greenhouse in (sun)light. Sprouts grow in the dark in special sprouting cells, at a low temperature and high humidity. 

Besides the problems with bean sprouts, are there also problems with the cress?
There is no indication at all about (potential) problems with cress. In the production and processing of cress, everything is done to work as cleanly as possibly. Food safety has priority. 

Does Koppert Cress also supply bean sprouts?
Koppert Cress specialises in Cress varieties. The production of sprouts requires different cultivation areas and working conditions. Therefore Koppert Cress does not and is not planning to produce products like bean sprouts and does not supply them. 

You aren't organic, so should I be concerned?
More and more consumers are favouring organic products every year. Organic products are associated with flavour, sustainability, health and naturalness. In order to be allowed to use the term “organic”, a company must comply with certain conditions. One of these is that only organic fertilisers, from plant or animal origin, may be used. For reasons of food safety, Koppert Cress has consciously decided to use mineral fertilisers and does not therefore comply with the requirements associated with “organic”.

What does the SQF logo on your packaging mean?
SQF is the abbreviation for Safe Quality Food. The logo on the packaging shows that we work according to the food safety and quality system SQF 2000 at our production company. By working according to this system, we guarantee the food safety and quality of our products.

How does Koppert Cress ensure that its products are safe?
Koppert Cress does its utmost to ensure that its products are safe. It starts with inspecting the seed production fields. Before sowing, the seeds are washed and impurities removed. The cress is sown on cellulose, a clean material made of sustainably cultivated trees. The seedlings are watered with tap water. The greenhouses are fitted with insect mesh to prevent contamination from outside. In the company, employees comply with the protocols and rules recorded in HACCP SQF, which ensure that all activities are performed cleanly and safely with respect to the food. 

Are Koppert Cress products ever tested?
The products are regularly tested throughout the process. From the moment that the crop is on the field for seed production, after harvesting the seed, during the cultivation and as a finished product: tests are performed during each phase of the production for well known diseases. In fact, Koppert Cress goes even further than its statutory requirements.