Ina Paarman - Recipes, Seasonings, Salad dressings, Sauces, Bake mixes and Cookbooks

faq's

1. How can I find out more about what is in the Ina Paarman products ?

If you would like to know which products are dairy free, egg free, coeliac suitable, vegan, etc, please view our product list (PDF 1MB).

2. Which, if any, colourants are used in Ina Paarman products?

Where possible, we use only natural substances like spinach powder, milled carrots, etc to provide colour and appetite appeal. Alternatively, natural colourants such as beta carotene and caramel are used in a few of our products. Artificial colours such as tartrazine are NOT used in any of our products.

3. Are preservatives used in any Ina Paarman products?

In order to make products without preservatives we take the following measures:

CLEAN WATER - Water used in our products is clean filtered to the standards needed for medical purposes such as intravenous feeding.
MICRO TESTING OF ALL RAW MATERIALS - Our three fulltime Food Technologists test all ingoing raw materials and until the ingredients are given a clean bill of health, they cannot be used in any products.
SABS INSPECTION - Our laboratory and factory is examined by SABS every quarter and we have ISO9002 certification, which means that good manufacturing practice is used in accordance with international standards.
SHELF STABILITY - If it is impossible to keep a product shelf stable the natural way, we make use of Sorbic Acid, a preservative derived from Vitamin C. We always use it in the lowest possible effective dosage and only if absolutely necessary.

4. Is MSG (Monosodium Glutamate) added to any Ina Paarman products?

In terms of our good food policy and due to the risks, real or perceived, we as a responsible food manufacturer have elected not to add MSG to any of our products.

5. What is a stabiliser and where does it come from?

In order to keep dressings and sauces homogenously blended over a period of time we need to add a stabiliser. For this purpose we use a completely natural product made from seaweed called Xanthan Gum.

6. How long can I keep Ina Paarman products once they have been opened?

Bake Mixes : Single use product : use once opened. Unopened packs are good 6 months after sell by date.
Coat and Cook Sauces : Once opened, keep refrigerated and use within 4 days. Freeze successfully.
Marinades : Once opened, keep refrigerated and use within 3 weeks or will freeze successfully.
Pasta Sauces : Once opened, keep refrigerated and use within 3 days or will freeze successfully.
Ready to Serve Sauces : Once opened, keep refrigerated and use within 2 days or will freeze successfully.
Salad Dressings : Once opened, keep refrigerated and use within 4 weeks.
Seasonings : Once opened, keep dial cap turned to 'close' and store at room temperature for 6 months.
Specialities : Once opened, keep refrigerated and use within 2 weeks or will freeze successfully.
Spices : Once opened, keep dial cap turned to 'close' and store at room temperature for 6 months.
Stock & Sauce Powders : Once opened, keep closed and store at room temperature for 6 months.
Stuffing Mix : Single use product : use once opened or keep in the freezer for extended storage.
Icing Kits : once mixed, keeps for a week in the piping bag in fridge. Soften briefly in the microwave before use.

7. Are Ina Paarman products suitable for diabetics?

It depends on how strict the diet needs to be. Most of our products do contain a small amount of cane sugar. We use it as a natural flavour enhancer. Our Lite Dressings have only fructose to accommodate diabetic consumers.

8. Which oils are used in Ina Paarman products?

Two oils are used in our Dressings, Sauces and Marinades: Extra Virgin Oil and Canola Oil.

9. Are Ina Paarman's products Halaal certified?

Most of our products are Halaal certified by the Muslim Judicial Council. Check for symbol on pack.

10. Are Ina Paarman products Kosher certified?

Many of our products are Kosher Parev or Kosher Milchick. Check for Kosher symbol on pack.

11. Are genetically modified (GMO) ingredients used in Ina Paarman products?

Paarman Foods does not endorse the use of genetically modified ingredients. Our starch supplier has an Identity Preserved program which ensures segregation, purity control and traceability of all raw materials. Ina Paaman product labels declared "modified cornstarch" - please note that this term refers to standard modification processes such as heat and NOT to genetic modification. International label regulations require that this description be used for any starch not in its original form.

12. What are the Ina Paarman plastic bottles made of ?

Our 300ml Salad Dressings, Marinades, Spices and Seasonings are all filled into PET, a type of plastic resin. Containers and bottles made from PET are labeled with the number "1" code near or on the base. PET does not have the chemical leaching out of elements associated with some other plastics, and is considered more suitable for food grade products. It's 100% recyclable and is used, for instance, to make fibre fill for pillows and duvets; x-ray film; magnetic tape on smart cards and ribbon for audio cassettes. Recycling saves landfill space and geotextiles manufactured from recycled PET is used to combat soil erosion. For more information about PET, www.petco.co.za

13. Is nutritional information available for Ina Paarman products?

Most of our product labels carry full nutritional information. For any further product queries, please telephone (021) 794 1103 or email nikki@jaywalk.com

14. Where can I buy Ina Paarman's products?

Most of the major supermarket carry our products - but sometimes do not stock the full range. Should you have any problems obtaining our products, phone or email us and we will contact you.

15. Where can I buy Ina Paarman cookbooks?

Please see the Cookbooks section on Our Product page.

16. Where can I find recipes that previously appeared on the website?

All recipes that previously appeared on the website, including the popular leaflets recipes are listed in the recipe library. Subscribe to our monthly newsletter and receive a tested menu and some handy cooking hints and tips.

17. How can I contact the Paarman Foods factory shop?

We have a small factory shop in Cape Town adjoining our factory in Diep River. The address is Unit B, Diep River Industrial Park, Greenville Road, Diep River Cape Town. The factory shop is open from Monday to Friday from 10:00 - 15:00 and on Saturday from 9:00 - 13:00. For enquiries telephone our factory on (021) 705 6440.

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