Rä Foods Debuts COLD GROWN Nanoshoots

Rä Foods introduced a produce category called COLD GROWN Rä Nanoshoots as an alternative to traditional sprouts that have a long history of food safety issues.  Rä Nanoshoots are tiny living plants, grown untouched in sealed 3 oz. packages, at cold temperatures to insure the highest level of food safety.  They have a naturally long shelf life of 21 days that means less shrink for the grocer and better value for the consumer.

COLD GROWN Rä Nanoshoots are ready to eat, available year-round, and are produced in a sustainable, environmentally friendly way.  They are herbicide-free, pesticide-free, GMO-free, and use only a fraction of the water required in growing traditional sprouts.

Due to continuing food safety concerns with traditional sprouts the Rä Foods team turned to the Vista Institute to develop a better alternative.   “We wanted to go beyond the standard practices of seed sanitation and water testing as the means of assuring food safety,” says Dan Sholl, general manager of Rä Foods.

The problem with the traditional process for growing sprouts is that it germinates seed under conditions that encourage the growth of dangerous seed-borne pathogens, company officials say.  Growing traditional sprouts also requires a significant amount of product handling that can introduce environmental pathogens.  Both contribute to traditional sprouts being subject to shorter shelf life and frequent food safety recalls.

“Cold became our key to inhibiting pathogen growth,” says Susan Harlander, managing partner, The Vista Institute.  “After more than two years of research we succeeded in developing the patent pending COLD GROWN process that creates a product environment hostile to pathogens, and allows Rä Nanoshoots to grow in the package to prevent environmental contamination."

In independent laboratory trials of the COLD GROWN process using inoculated samples of Rä Nanoshoots, they observed an actual die off of Salmonella and E. coli, the two organisms primarily responsible for the vast majority of food safety issues associated with traditional sprouts.

Each package of Rä Nanoshoots is like a tiny growing garden.  “They produce a lush canopy of tender leaves and fine shoots, all visible through the transparent tray,” said Sholl.  Rä Nanoshoots come in several “flavors”: Clover, is sweet; Clover/Alfalfa has a sweet, nutty character; Clover/Broccoli blend, mild and peppery; and Spicy Blend (Clover/Radish blend).