FAQs – TOMATO TALK

GENERAL INFORMATION

WHERE CAN I FIND DEI FRATELLI PRODUCTS IN MY AREA?

Dei Fratelli products are distributed primarily in the Midwest, Central, and Southeastern states. Our distribution area is expanding daily. Please call us at 1-877-LYCOPENE (592-6736) to find out where you can find the Dei Fratelli products in your area.

WHAT DOES DEI FRATELLI MEAN?

Dei Fratelli literally means “of the brothers” in Italian.  Hirzel Canning Company, the manufacturer of Dei Fratelli tomato products, is currently operated by the 4th generation of the Hirzel family.

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION

ARE DEI FRATELLI PRODUCTS GLUTEN FREE?

Tomatoes are naturally gluten free, so all of our products are gluten free.  Even our condensed tomato soup is gluten free because, unlike all other condensed tomato soups, we use rice flour instead of wheat flour.  The vinegar (white distilled) we use in our products is gluten free and certified by our suppliers.

DO YOU HAVE ORGANIC PRODUCTS?

We do not produce organic products for retail distribution under our Dei Fratelli brand.  A considerably large portion of our farming operation is organic.  Our manufacturing facilities and farming operation are certified by Global Organic Alliance (GOA).  Global Organic Alliance (GOA) is a recognized organic certifier.  GOA is accredited by USDA / NOP organic regulations.

WHAT IS LYCOPENE?

Lycopene is the natural pigment giving the red color to tomatoes and some other fruits such as watermelon.  Lycopene is the most potent of all the carotenoids for quenching singlet oxygen which is a highly reactive molecule.  Recent research suggests that lycopene suppresses cancer cell growth and prevents cancer cells from dividing.  For more information about lycopene, you may either e-mail us at info@hirzel.com or call us toll-free at 1-877-LYCOPENE.

PRODUCT INFORMATION

DO YOUR PRODUCTS CONTAIN ANIMAL PRODUCTS?

The majority of Dei Fratelli products do not contain any animal products but a few of our pasta sauces contain cheese.  Please read the label carefully to determine if the variety of pasta sauce you select contains cheese.  In addition, the FDA has set a standard of identity for most of the products that does not permit the use of any animal products.  Any deviation from this standard of identity would mean that the product could no longer be categorized nor sold legally under that name.

WHAT KINDS OF TOMATOES ARE YOU USING IN DEI FRATELLI PRODUCTS?

We use vine-ripened Roma style tomatoes that are approved by both our farming and operation groups.  All tomato varieties are verified Non-GMO.  Our farms follow Good Agricultural Practices and Pesticide Minimization Programs.

WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR TOMATOES?

Hirzel Canning Company has its own farming operation (Hirzel Farms) located primarily in the northwest Ohio area.  Also, we contract with more than 30 tomato growers from family farms located in Northwest Ohio and Southeastern Michigan.  To control the quality from seed to fresh packed crop, we supply the tomato plants to the majority of our growers.  This helps us to bring you a high quality tomato product that is Non-GMO Verified.

ARE DEI FRATELLI PRODUCTS KOSHER? IF YES, HOW DO I KNOW? 

Yes, all Hirzel products are Certified Kosher except some of the varieties of spaghetti and pasta sauces, which have cheese as one of their ingredients.  Please look for the Pareve sign on the labels.  Additionally, when necessary, we can provide a list of our products that are designated as Kosher.  For further questions, please contact us at info@hirzel.com.

FOOD SAFETY

HOW DO I STORE OPENED CONTAINERS OF PRODUCT?

We strongly recommend that you store our canned products in a clean glass or plastic container with a lid and place them in the refrigerator for about 3 to 5 days.  Moisture from condensation that takes place at refrigeration temperature can cause rust to form on the original can.  However, for our products packed in glass, cartons or plastic with re-closable lids, you do not have to transfer the contents into another container.

CAN LINING

DO YOUR CANS CONTAIN BPA AND WHAT DOES BPA NON-INTENT MEAN?

We recently began converting our packaging to a BPA Non-Intent can lining.  The transition began in the fall of 2015.  BPA Non-Intent means the lining of the can was produced without BPA or any Bisphenol compounds intentionally being added.