Frequently Asked Questions

 

Where can I find Rachel's®?
Rachel's products are widely available at grocery, club and natural food stores. Click here for our store locator.

What can I do if my favorite store does not have Rachel's yet?
Ask your dairy case manager or store manager to contact Rachel's at 1.888.841.1112 to carry our line.

What makes Rachel's products "natural"?
All Rachel's products are free of artificial flavors, preservatives or sweeteners including no high fructose corn syrup, and are made using milk from cows not given artificial growth hormones (rbST-free).1 We search out premium natural ingredients for optimum flavor and nutrition.

Are Rachel's products low in fat?
Yes, Rachel's cottage cheese is made with lowfat milk and contains 1.5% milkfat. Rachel's yogurt is made with nonfat milk and cream and also contains 1.5% milkfat.

What is rbST?
rbST, (recombinant bovine somatotropin), is a genetically engineered copy of a naturally occurring hormone produced by cows. You'll also find it called rBGH. Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Japan and several European countries have already banned these hormones because of health concerns.2

Why do some Rachel's cottage cheese flavors say "50% less sugar than lowfat flavored yogurt" and others say "75% less sugar"?
Rachel's Savory flavors contain no fruit so they naturally have less sugar, and contain 75% less sugar than lowfat flavored yogurt. Rachel's Sweet flavors contain fruit, which has naturally occurring sugar, yet they still contain 50% less sugar than flavored lowfat yogurt.3

What types of sweeteners do you use?
We use organic evaporated cane juice as the sweetener in our products. It's made from sugarcane juice that is released by pressing the juice out of sugarcane stalks. This natural source of sweetness undergoes very little refining, so it retains more of the nutrients found in sugarcane including vitamins and minerals.

What are the health benefits of protein?
Protein's main function is to build and repair tissues. It's an essential component in repairing muscle tissue all the way down to the cellular level. The recommended daily value for protein is 50 grams per day; Rachel's cottage cheese contains 14 grams of protein, a full 28% of the recommended daily value.

What are the health benefits of calcium?
The most abundant mineral in the human body, calcium plays a critical role in maintaining the structure and density of the bones and teeth. Most adults need about 1000-1200 mg of calcium per day to support optimum bone health. Rachel's cottage cheese offers 200mg per serving and Rachel's yogurt contains 300mg per serving. Both are an excellent source of calcium that fit easily into an active lifestyle.

What is DHA?
Also known as Docosahexaenoic acid, DHA belongs to a category of healthy fatty acids known as Omega-3's. Found in high concentrations in the tissues of the brain and eye, Omega-3 DHA helps support healthy function in these areas.4 DHA has also been shown to help support the heart, and has been linked to possible benefits in PMS and menopause. Rachel's uses life'sDHA, a 100% vegetarian and sustainable source of DHA.

Is the DHA Omega-3 in Rachel's yogurt vegetarian?
Yes! Beneficial DHA Omega-3 fatty acids are most commonly derived from coldwater fish such as mackerel and salmon. Researchers looking for a vegetarian source of DHA established that the fish actually obtain these important omega-3 fatty acids from a diet of algae. The result? Scientists are now able to obtain rich, nutritional DHA directly from aquatic plants. Rachel's uses life'sDHA algal oil, a 100% vegetarian and sustainable source of DHA omega-3 fatty acids.

What are probiotics?
Probiotics—also known as live and active cultures—occur naturally in the digestive tract, but need regular replenishing. Live and active cultures are a source of probiotics and help promote healthy digestion and overall intestinal vitality. Rachel's yogurt contains five distinct probiotic strains: L. Bulgaricus, S. thermophilus, L. acidophilus, Bifidobacerium lactis and L. casei.

What are live and active cultures?
Also known as probiotics, live and active cultures are essential for healthy digestion and overall intestinal vitality. Rachel's yogurt contains five distinct probiotic strains: L. Bulgaricus, S. thermophilus, L. acidophilus, Bifidobacerium lactis and L. casei.

What size curd is Rachel's cottage cheese?
Rachel's cottage cheese has a small curd. The smaller curds allow for better distribution of flavor and a delicious texture.

I'm lactose intolerant. Can I eat Rachel's products?
Rachel's cottage cheese and yogurt do contain lactose. However, many lactose-intolerant individuals are still able to tolerate some dairy foods. Cottage cheese is lower in lactose than many dairy products because it is fermented. Yogurt can be particularly beneficial because the probiotics in the yogurt may help to partially break down the lactose before consumption. Depending on your system, it may be possible to enjoy Rachel's cottage cheese and yogurt in moderation, especially when coupled with other food. Consult your health professional prior to using Rachel's to be sure.

Are Rachel's products okay for kids?
Yes – while the flavors are created for an adult palate, it's never too early for kids to start developing great taste. Children can also benefit from the nutrition of Rachel's products.

Are Rachel's products vegetarian-friendly?
Rachel's products are suitable for vegetarians but since they do contain dairy, they are not vegan.

Are Rachel's products okay for people with wheat and gluten allergies?
We make every effort to ensure that Rachel's products are free of wheat, wheat gluten, rye, oats, barley or malt. While it is virtually impossible to ascertain that each carton is 100% free of all gluten, Rachel's is suitable for most people with wheat and gluten allergies. Consult your health professional prior to using Rachel's to be sure.

Does Rachel's contain GMOs (genetically modified organisms)?
No! Rachel's products are made without GMO ingredients.

Are Rachel's products kosher?
Yes. All of our products are certified kosher dairy by the Orthodox Union.

Where can I find ingredients and nutrition facts for Rachel's products?
Look in the Products section of this site for nutritional information. For more information on the Rachel's fruits, spices and other unusual ingredients, look in the Glossary. Search Health & Wellness for information on Rachel's health benefits.

I am unfamiliar with a few words on Rachel's yogurt label. What are annatto, pectin, whey protein concentrate and agar?
Annatto is a natural colorant made from the seeds of a tropical tree. Pectin is a soluble fiber naturally found in most plants, used in food as a gelling agent and to enhance texture. Whey protein concentrate is created from nutrient-laden whey, and adds protein to Rachel's yogurt. Agar, derived from plants, is a common vegetarian gelatin substitute. For more information see Rachel's Glossary.

I am unfamiliar with a few words on Rachel's cottage cheese label. What are locust bean gum, pectin and carrageenan?
Locust bean gum is a natural thickening agent extracted from the seeds of the carob tree. Pectin is a soluble fiber naturally found in most plants, used in food as a gelling agent and to enhance texture. Plant-based Carrageenan is a common vegetarian gelatin substitute.

What natural flavors and flavorings do you use in Rachel's products?
The flavors listed in our ingredient panels are derived from natural sources – nothing artificial is used.

What is the difference between the Sweet and Savory cottage cheese lines?
From pomegranate to mangosteen to enticing verbena, The Sweet line offers lusciously exciting fruit and flavor combinations. The Savory line brings together ingredients like aromatic dill, rich herb-infused pesto and vibrant sun dried tomatoes for cottage cheese with a zesty new allure.

What is the difference between the Essence and Exotic yogurt lines?
The Essence line offers mood-inspiring flavors and ingredients like açai, chai, pomegranate, ginseng and green tea. The Exotic line combines the planet's most alluring fruits and berries in luscious flavor combinations.

Can I cook with Rachel's cottage cheese and yogurt?
Yes! Rachel's cottage and yogurt add flavor and nutrition to a variety of recipes. Smoothies, dips, desserts, breakfast treats, quick bread and muffin recipes can all benefit from Rachel's alluring flavors. Here are some of our favorite recipes.

Can I freeze Rachel's cottage cheese or yogurt?
We don't recommend freezing Rachel's cottage cheese. While some people find that freezing Rachel's yogurt creates a delicious frozen treat, keep in mind freezing changes the texture, allowing lumps and ice crystals to form. The live and active cultures in Rachel's yogurt will become dormant and lose much of their nutritional benefit when frozen.

Can Rachel's cottage cheese or yogurt be consumed after the "sell by" date?
Rachel's cottage cheese or yogurt should be opened on or before the "sell by" date, and used within seven days. They should always be stored in the refrigerator.

How long after opening the carton can I consume Rachel's products?
Rachel's cottage cheese and yogurt should be used within seven days of opening the carton. It should always be stored in the refrigerator during this time.

Is it safe to consume Rachel's if it has been out of the refrigerator for a period of time?
We generally do not suggest that you consume products that have been left unrefrigerated for any length of time. The safety of the product depends on the temperature, surrounding conditions and the length of time they are not refrigerated. A general rule of thumb – for every hour a product is not refrigerated, it loses a day of shelf life. Unrefrigerated cottage cheese and yogurt also tend to lose desired texture.

Is Rachel's product packaging recyclable?
Every area has different recycling rules so please check with your local recycling center for details. Rachel's cottage cheese and yogurt cups are made from Polypropylene (PP), which is classified as a #5 plastic. The #5 plastic is recyclable. Unfortunately some centers do not accept #5, we urge you to work with your local recycling center in expanding their efforts.

Where is Rachel's made?
Rachel's yogurt is made in Wisconsin. Rachel's cottage cheese in made in Arizona.

Who is Rachel?
Rachel Rowlands and her husband Gareth founded the Rachel's brand in the United Kingdom (UK) in 1984. Rachel is the granddaughter of Elizabeth Jones, a dairy pioneer and early advocate for sustainable farming practices. Today, Rachel's is a thriving UK brand, built on decades of excellence in dairy craftsmanship.

When did Rachel's launch in the US?
Rachel's yogurt launched nationwide in the US in 2007 with 10 natural yogurts. Rachel's cottage cheese launched nationwide in 2009.

Footnotes:
(1) No significant difference has been shown between milk derived from rbST treated and non-rbST treated cows.
(2) Yu, Herbert, Rohan, Thomas. Journal of the National Cancer Institute, v.92, September, 2000.
(3) One serving of Rachel's cottage cheese contains up to 11g sugar, most servings of lowfat flavored yogurt contain 24g sugar.
(4) Ohta, et al, J. Nutritional Food, 2, 37-43, 1999