Frequently Asked Questions

Organics Vitamin B12 is in the preferred form of methylcobalamin. As Vitamin B12 only comes from animal sources, we needed to develop a way to produce a whole food source of methylcobalamin acceptable to vegans. We were able to achieve this through a bacterial fermentation using non-GMO certified beets and betaine to produce methylcobalamin. The methylcobalamin is then used as a starting point and is cultivated with yeast (saccharomyces cerevisiae), resulting in a wholefood form of methylcobalamin B12 in saccharomyces cerevisiae, along with a wide array of natural cofactors.

The organic glycerin in the Organics B-12 Spray is sourced from non-GMO corn.

Our Organics Vitamin B12 Spray is recommended and formulated for Adult Use only. We suggest consulting your healthcare practitioner prior to administering the B12 spray to your child.

The Organics Vitamin B12 methylcobalamin is in a whole food form which makes it more bio-available to the body. Generally, our bodies are designed to absorb whole food forms better than synthetic forms. Also, generally, most synthetic nutrients are not as easily absorbed by the body; that is why most of them have a higher amount than a whole food form, to compensate for what the body may not absorb. Please keep in mind that there are many B12 forms out there and their rate of absorption differs.

Organics Vitamin B12 Spray can be sprayed as normal (i.e. not under the tongue) as this product is not sublingual.

According to the Health Canada multivitamin monograph, any product containing 10 mg or more of niacin (our product contains 20 mg), could have this effect. Of course, if you have any concerns, we would suggest you consult a healthcare practitioner prior to taking any supplements.

We wanted to provide a soy-free prenatal product and because the regular Organics multivitamins have the K2 version from Organic Natto (soy), we did not use this source for Vitamin K in the prenatal.

No, none of the vitamins and minerals are synthetic in the Organics line. The Beta Carotene is sourced directly from the Organic Annatto in the Certified Organic Food Blend, as is the Vitamin K.

The basic philosophy behind Plant Collagen Builder is that, even with adequate levels of protein and amino acid peptides, there are key cofactors and nutrients that are required to a) aid in collagen production b) protect elastin and keratin. Plant Collagen Builder works because just the 10mg of organic bamboo silica ALONE has been clinically shown to increase collagen production. So vegans are in luck too!

The statement “Consult your healthcare practitioner for use beyond 12 weeks” is on the Canadian product label as the formula contains Green Tea Extract. This is a requirement of Health Canada.

By Health Canada regulations, the dosage shown on our Canadian Plant Iron label is approved/aimed for healthy adults aged 19+. It is not presented in Canada as a supplement for children. We advise that you consult your healthcare practitioner if this is a product you are interested in for your child as dosage might need to be adjusted accordingly for consumption by someone under 19 years of age.

To make a tablet you need a binder, a filler, a flow or anticaking agent, a lubricant, disbursal material and a coating, which is optional but often preferred so that the tablet is easy to swallow.

Clean Tablet Technology™ uses:

Organic Tapioca Dextrose as Binder (holds the tablet together)

Contains No fillers - only actives

Organic Gum Arabic and Organic Brown Rice Extract for Flow and Anticaking

Organic Brown Rice Concentrate as a Lubricant

Organic Potato Starch for Disbursal

Organic Coating (Organic tapioca maltodextrin, Organic Sunflower Lecithin, Organic Palm Oil, Organic Guar Gum)

They are classified as Vegetarian as they do contain living bacteria. We haven’t labeled them as Vegan to allow the consumer to decide whether that fits into their identification of veganism. The strains are, however, plant sourced and the product is free from dairy (with the exception of Mood+, which is not dairy free due to its Lactobacillus helveticus (R0052) and Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum (R0175) strains).

The Dr. Formulated Probiotics Mood+ is not considered dairy-free (or vegan).

The reason why we don’t state Mood+ to be dairy-free or vegan is because there are certain probiotic strains in its formula that are cultured in dairy and soy: Lactobacillus helveticus (R0052) and Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum (R0175). Although dairy and soy are not present in the final product, the process to produce those 2 probiotics uses dairy and soy and therefore Mood+ can’t be considered dairy-free or "vegan" like our other Dr. Formulated probiotics.

Yes, they are the exact same product and formula. The difference is in the bottle.

The Cooler Stable versions are in glass, with an added desiccant, which needs to be refrigerated.

The Shelf Stable versions are in white bottles, which act as the desiccant. The white, BPA-free, patented bottles have desiccant molded into the wall of the bottle to protect the probiotics. In addition, there is a second layer, which is an outer moisture barrier, to also protect the product from moisture.

Our probiotic strains are grown in a plant medium, with exception for dairy and soy mediums used to grow Lactobacillus helveticus (R0052) and Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum (R0175) found in our Mood+ formula.

No, the strains in our Dr. Formulated probiotics have been chosen to withstand stomach acid.

Organics is USDA Certified Organic, Non-GMO Project Verified and Vegan Certified (including Vitamin D3 sourced from Lichen). It sources nutrients from Certified Organic Food, Organic Fruits, Veggies & Herbs, with no added probiotics & enzymes. This line is also Gluten and Dairy Free, and uses Clean Tablet Technology™.

Vitamin Code is RAW, Non-GMO Project Verified and Vegetarian (as the Vitamin D3 is sourced from Lanolin). Formulas feature cultured nutrients, originally sourced from organically grown fruits & veggies. The culturing of nutrients results in live probiotics & enzymes existing in the final product. This line is also Gluten and Dairy Free, with no binders or fillers (we use a vegan capsule).

Our All-In-One Nutritional Shakes are not categorized as a Meal Replacement Product in Canada. This product has an NPN (Natural Product Number) in which it is categorized as a Natural Health Product under the Health Canada NNHPD Regulation.

Our All-in-One would not be comparable to a multivitamin but it is a great meal enhancer.

Unlike our Raw Organic Protein and All-In-One shake, which are sold as natural health products and have NPNs, the SPORT Proteins are considered to be foods. That is why there is no subpopulation indicated in the directions for use or risk information on the product label. All ingredients are listed and are in terms of quantity (highest to lowest). As this is a food, there are really no contraindications (besides obvious allergy). However, we always recommend that you consult a healthcare practitioner to ensure a product is safe for you during your pregnancy.

There are many breeds of dairy cow that supply Truly Grass Fed milk, and the most common types living on our Irish farms are Friesian and Jersey crosses. They are milked twice a day (morning and evening).

It is added to the formula as a thickener and to enhance the creamy texture of the whey. It is sourced from tapioca.

They are not A2. However, it is important to point out that the “Truly Grass Fed” difference is impressive, especially since the whey in our Whey Protein is a whey isolate, and not a whole whey product. A whole whey product would include the milk proteins where presence of A1 and A2 might make a huge difference in digestion and tolerance.

Even with some of the A2 milk that’s out there, it is hard to top theIrish Dairy system for sustainability, herd size and feed.  They are eating their preferred diet over 300days a year!

Our Stevia Extract, grown in the US and derived from the Stevia Rebaudiana plant, is an all-natural product and contains no artificial additives, flavorings, coloring or preservatives. It is produced without any synthetic or chemical modification of compounds, is GMO-free, and is a gluten free product.

A reformulation for this product was done in early 2021. The pure iodine ingredient (which caused the appearance of the red colour) was removed from this product. Therefore, the source of iodine in this product now only comes from Potassium Iodide. The amount of iodine in this product remains unchanged.

Unfortunately, we are unable to source pure iodine in Canada anymore due to updated regulations in Canada regarding all Iodine products. We have reformulated our Trophic Iodine to be compliant in the Canadian market as a Natural Health Product. Health Canada only allows a few ingredients to be consumed as a source of Iodine in a Natural Health Product. Trophic products are only sold in Canada and we do not carry the product in the original formulation anymore.

Most of the Trophic products uses synthetic ingredients. They do not use naturally sourced extracts to provide their minerals. With that said, synthetic ingredients can provide a guarantee amount of minerals in each dose, while naturally sourced extract can vary more in terms of the minerals they are providing. 

The Wild Rose Herbal D-Tox is an overall cleanse, to re-set your body and clear out toxins in your liver, kidneys and GI tract. It sets up you up to do the Liver D-Tox, a more intensive and specific cleanse to clear out the liver where the majority of detoxification happens. The Gentle D-Tox is the same as the Herbal D-Tox but with a milder laxative effect.

It is recommended, according to Dr. Terry Willard (founder and herbalist behind Wild Rose) to start with the 12-day Herbal D-Tox (or the Gentle, if you are looking for a softer cleanse) to bring your digestion to a better functioning state (ie. nutrient absorption) and then to do the 15-day Liver D-Tox after that, where your body will be in a better condition to absorb nutrients, herbs and vitamins.

Herbal D-Tox: Biliherb – Helps stimulate bile production; Cleansaherb – Antioxidant; helps the body metabolize fats and proteins; Laxaherb – Traditionally used as a laxative; short term relief (non-addictive); CL Herbal Extract – Diuretic; urinary tract antiseptic

Liver D-Tox: Biliherb – Features Black Radish Root in a base of supportive herbs, which is traditionally used for bile production; MilkThistle Plus – Contains Milk Thistle Seed Extract, which is a well known liver protectant; C-Herbaplex – Provides vitamin C in a base of naturally occurring bioflavonoids along with parsley, red raspberry and Mullein leaves, for anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits

Gentle D-Tox: Biliherb– Helps stimulate bile production; Cleansaherb– Antioxidant; helps the body metabolize fats and proteins; Gentle Laxaherb – Used as a mild laxative; short term relief (non-addictive); CL Herbal Extract – Diuretic; urinary tract antiseptic

It is not detrimental if you forget or miss it, however, it will not be guaranteed that you will experience the same cleansing process. Each component focuses on a separate part of the body’s detoxification system.

Garden of Life ingredients are sourced from all over the world - USA, the UK, Iceland, Japan, India, and Singapore to name a few. We go through a strict Quality verification to approve every single suppliers that source our ingredients according to the Canadian GMP Regulation as well as the Food and Drug Regulations.

We don't have a precise serving count due to the complexity of nutrient profiles per each vegetable and fruit in our ingredients, as mentioned above. We measure total nutrient presence from all contributing ingredients.

With Perfect Food, we aren’t making the claim that it is comparable to a particular number of servings of fruits and veggies because how many servings it will be equal to will be different for each nutrient, each fruit and each vegetable. For example, the vitamin C content of a banana is not comparable to the vitamin C content of blueberries, or cabbage! Instead, we wanted to be clear and accurate with the fact that one serving of Raw Organic Perfect Food will provide 34 nutrient-dense, raw, organic greens, sprouts and veggies.

Our coconut oil is minimally processed – it is not hydrogenated, bleached, refined or deodorized, and some particles of husk may remain in the oil. When the oil transitions from liquid to solid, these particles will solidify and create a marble effect at the bottom of the bottle. This is not oxidation and the marble effect will appear in varying levels, depending on the temperature change. If the transition takes place in stages, meaning as the temperature drops or increases, the oil will adjust to the temperature at a normal pace. If the temperature change is more sudden (for example from a kitchen counter top to the fridge), the marble effect will be more visible. The brown specks are particles from the coconut husk getting into the oil. It is normal for the bottom of the coconut oil to turn slightly yellow. When the oil changes from liquid to a solid state, or vice versa, the yellow color will appear in the bottom.

The coconuts we use for our Coconut Oil (as well as our MCT Oil) are sourced from Singapore and processed here in Canada.

Consumer safety is of the utmost importance and we take this responsibility very seriously. Garden of life has invested considerable resources to ensure that our labels are compliant with labeling regulations.

With regard specifically to nuts, peanuts and tree nuts, only products labeled as "Nut Free, Peanut Free and Tree Nut Free" may be relied upon by those who are highly concerned with nuts in their diets. These ingredients are not included in the product however, we do not make this claim on Garden of Life products since we do not test our finished goods for either the intentional or potential accidental presence of nuts, peanut or tree nuts. As safety is our primary concern, we recommend that you do not use our products if you are allergic to nuts, peanuts and tree nuts.

Each allergen is tagged and segregated for utilization and storage.  Our cGMP process requires cleaning in between runs to prevent cross contamination.  Allergen testing is performed after each cleaning to be sure that the cleaning procedure is validated and that there are no allergen traces before the next production run.  There is an allergen program in place and the cleaning methods and equipment are verified with allergen swabbing.

We would recommend to not consume products that have already expired. After passing the expiry or shelf-life date, we can not guarantee the safety and efficacy of the product.

We have stability testing in the forms of Microbial Testing [total viable aerobic plate count; contaminating fungi (yeast and mould); Salmonella spp.; Escherichia coli; Staphylococcus aureus; Pseudomonas aeruginosa (applies to liquid products only)] and Potency/Assay Testing of medicinal ingredients. 

These tests are to ensure that the safety and efficacy of our products meets the standards of Health Canada regulations and to support our shelf-life date that is printed on our products. Therefore, again, we recommend to not consume products pass their shelf-life date for safety reasons.

Unfortunately, we are unable to provide medical advice or comment on pharmaceuticals, both over-the-counter and prescription medications. Vaccines would be included here. Please consult with your Health Practitioner and/or Pharmacist for guidance.

If you have any concerns regarding our products you are using, discontinue and speak with your health practitioner for guidance.

Please note that all our Garden of Life products are for Human Consumption Only and we can only speak to the safety of our
products for humans. We do not formulate or test our products for safe animal consumption. As our products are food-based and formulated based on safe human consumption, there are ingredients, such as onion and garlic in our mykind Organics line, that can be harmful to animals.

Depending on the products, some are manufactured in a facility that also processes dairy. If that is the case, the following statement would be found on our labels:

“Manufactured in a facility that also processes soy, dairy, tree nuts and fish.”

However, if a product states that it is “Vegan Certified” or “Dairy Free” on our label, then we guarantee that there are no traces of animal products/dairy in that product. To ensure no contamination or traces of animal products are in our vegan products, we take strict precautions to clean the production facility, product lines, and equipment before manufacturing “Vegan Certified” or “Dairy Free” products.

90% of our products are categorized as NHP (Natural Health Products) under the Health Canada NNHPD Regulations. This means that these products are registered and assigned an NPN (Natural Product Number), which you would see on the front panel of our labels. Within the NNHPD guidelines, we are required by law to test the following for each finished products (with specific limits provided by NNHPD) that are released onto the market:

Organoleptic properties
Physico chemical characteristics
Quantitative determination
Purity tests: heavy metal, residual solvents and pesticides
Microbial tests

Appendix 3 under the Quality Guidance Document breaks down what we test as an NHP.

With that said, to be consistent, the 10% of products that are categorized as food under the CFIA regulation (and do not have an NPN) have also been tested under the NNHPD regulations and are being treated internally as an NHP before releasing out to market.

Garden of Life products that are Organic Certified, Non-GMO Certified, Vegan Certified, Gluten-Free Certified, NSF-Sport Certified and Informed Choice Sport Certified are all tested according to the respective 3rd party organization requirements.

Example:
Organic Certified: approved by QCS (USDA Organic)
Non-GMO Certified: approved by NSF
Vegan Certified: approved by Vegan Action
Gluten-Free Certified: approved by GFCO

Canada categorizes multivitamins/probiotics/herbals as Natural Health Products (NHPs) and these are regulated under Health Canada's NNHPD, which provides NHPs with NPNs (Natural Product Numbers). Safety, risk information and allowable daily dosage amounts are regulated differently between Canada and the US. Therefore, if you are currently residing in Canada, you will not be able to find or purchase US available products here. We do recommend purchasing and consuming Canadian regulated products if you live in Canada.

Our online shop will be available in early 2022 ! We are working hard to get our online shop set up and launched for easy and efficient ordering. Thank you for your patience!

We are only able to ship within Canada.

If you live outside of Canada, you can visit your country's Garden of Life online shop, if available - USA, UK, Australia, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Russia, Spain, Taiwan.