Organic Chia Seed Oil-cold pressed - 500ml - RAWGORILLA

When you pick up a bag of our Organic Chia Seeds or Red Split Lentils, you aren’t just buying ingredients; you’re buying a promise. In the UK, that promise is backed by a complex web of regulations, inspections, and certificates. But for the average shopper, the world of food safety can feel like an alphabet soup of acronyms. You might have heard of "Food Hygiene Ratings," but have you heard of SALSA? As we navigate 2026, the bar for food safety has never been higher. Here is the difference between "standard" hygiene and the gold-standard excellence we strive for. 1. The "Standard": The Local Authority Rating Most people are familiar with the green-and-black "window stickers" found on high-street cafes and takeaways. This is the Environmental Health Office (EHO) rating, which scales from 0 to 5. What it covers: Basic cleanliness, structural integrity of the building, and cross-contamination prevention. The Reality: While a 5-star rating is essential, it is often a "snapshot" in time based on a local council visit. It is the baseline requirement for any food business in the UK, but for a major supplier of whole foods, it is only the beginning. 2. What is SALSA? (Safe and Local Supplier Approval) For specialist producers and larger-scale suppliers like Whole Food Earth, the standard EHO visit isn't enough. We go through SALSA. SALSA is a robust food safety certification scheme specifically designed for the UK’s best small and medium-sized food producers. It is recognized by the UK’s leading retailers (including the likes of Waitrose and Sainsbury's) as a mark of superior quality. How SALSA differs from a standard inspection: Traceability: SALSA requires us to prove exactly where every single grain came from. If we have a bag of Organic Almonds, we can trace them back to the specific farm and harvest date. HACCP Rigour: We must implement a "Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point" (HACCP) plan. This is a scientific system that identifies every possible risk—from a microscopic dust particle to a temperature fluctuation—and builds a fail-safe to prevent it. Annual Audits: Unlike standard inspections which can be years apart, SALSA requires a rigorous annual audit by a highly qualified food safety expert. 3. Why This Matters in 2026 Food safety in 2026 isn't just about "washing your hands." It’s about Data and Integrity. The Battle Against Food Fraud In a global supply chain, "food fraud" (where high-quality ingredients are swapped for cheaper fillers) is a growing concern. SALSA standards ensure that when we say a product is 100% Organic, we have the forensic paperwork to prove it. Allergen Management With the UK's strict "Natasha’s Law" now fully embedded in our food culture, managing allergens like nuts and gluten requires pharmaceutical-grade precision. SALSA-certified facilities must demonstrate total control over cross-contamination to keep our customers safe. Sustainability and Hygiene Modern hygiene standards now also look at sustainability. SALSA encourages efficient waste management and responsible sourcing, ensuring that a "clean" facility also means a "green" facility. 4. Peek Behind the Curtain: The Whole Food Earth Promise At Whole Food Earth, we don't just meet the standard; we aim to set it. Our commitment to SALSA principles means: Strict Supplier Approval: We only work with farmers who share our obsession with purity. Regular Testing: We batch-test our products to ensure they are free from contaminants and meet our high nutritional profiles. Continuous Improvement: We don't just pass an audit and forget about it; our team is constantly refining our processes to stay ahead of UK regulations. The Bottom Line When you see a SALSA-certified producer, you are looking at a business that has chosen to be scrutinised. In 2026, "Food Hygiene" is no longer just about a clean floor; it’s about a transparent soul. By choosing SALSA-standard products, you are supporting a food system that prioritises your health, your safety, and the integrity of the British pantry. Trust the process. Taste the purity. Explore our Certified Organic Range here.

What is a superfood?Superfoods have been gaining popularity for years now, especially amongst those focused on healthy eating, and with good reason, but the term itself is often misunderstood. When people hear the term superfood it can often be associated with fads and faux science, but in reality it just means a food that contains an abundance of nutrients, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and various other beneficial compounds. This article will focus on the best superfoods you can find in whole food shops, allowing you to focus on making the healthiest choices, without breaking the bank, while supporting independent, environmentally friendly businesses. 1. Almonds Almonds are one of the healthiest nuts you can eat, and an amazing superfood in general. Almonds contain a huge amount of vitamin E, which as well as being an antioxidant, also helps to maintain healthy skin and eyes while also boosting the immune system. On top of their remarkable vitamin E content, almonds are also packed full of healthy fats, fibre and protein. Almonds are not only incredibly healthy, but also delicious and easy to use! Whether you’re looking for a quick snack on the go, or a standout ingredient to use in your baking, with their distinctive, subtle sweet flavour, almonds really are the perfect choice. If you’re looking for even more uses for almonds, we recommend this overnight oats recipe to really get the most out of them. 2. Quinoa.Originating from South America, quinoa has been grown for thousands of years, but it only seems to be getting more and more popular. One of the reasons quinoa is such an amazing superfood is that it is a complete protein, meaning it contains all nine essential amino acids that the body needs but cannot produce itself. This can be particularly important for those on plant based diets, as some of these amino acids, like lysine can be incredibly hard to find in plants. Not only is quinoa an amazing source of protein, iron, and fibre, it also has strong anti-inflammatory properties that make it truly unique when compared to other grains like rice or couscous. Quinoa can seem a little intimidating to those who haven’t cooked with it before, but once you start cooking with it you’ll find it hard to stop. For a delicious light summertime salad, we recommend this Quinoa & Pistachio salad recipe. 3. Goji Berries.Goji berries are small, sweet red berries originating from South Asia, but their popularity has reached global proportions in recent years, mainly due to their status as a superfood. One of the reasons goji berries are considered a superfood is because of their astounding vitamin C (also known as ascorbic acid) content. Vitamin C is incredibly important, as it maintains the skin, bones, cartilage, and even our blood vessels, while also helping our bodies recover from wounds. A lack of vitamin C is the primary cause of scurvy, so it’s a good job that goji berries contain a whopping 48g of vitamin C per 100g serving! While goji berries can be enjoyed as a snack straight from the packet, they can also be an amazing ingredient in baking, or a way to give your smoothies and milkshakes a healthy boost! 4. Matcha and green tea.Matcha and green tea both come from the same plant (Camellia sinensis, but each goes through different processes to make two very different final products, each with its own health benefits. The main difference in the preparation of matcha vs green tea, is that green tea leaves are steeped and discarded, whereas matcha makes use of the entire leaf, ultimately providing a more concentrated dose of nutrients. Both matcha and green tea are packed full of antioxidants, in particular, matcha contains a large amount of catechins, a type of antioxidant renowned for its anti-inflammatory effects. Alongside containing more nutrients than green tea, matcha also contains significantly more caffeine, providing a powerful energy boost, whereas green tea provides a more gentle buzz that may be better when you’re trying to focus without getting the jitters. Matcha and green tea also have different uses, as obviously, both can be brewed and drunk, but matcha can also be used in cooking and baking. When shopping for matcha, particularly in whole food shops, there will be a variety of options, ceremonial or premium matcha is best for drinking in teas or lattes, whereas culinary is ideal to use in baking without breaking the bank. 5. Chia seeds.Chia seeds are one of the oldest superfoods in the world, a part of the mint family, originating in South America and dating all the way back to the Aztec Empire. Like quinoa, chia seeds are a complete protein, which already establishes them as an amazing superfood, but where they really shine is in their high fibre content. On average, chia seeds provide roughly 10 grams of dietary fibre per two tablespoons, making them one of the most fibrous superfoods you can include in your diet! The high fibre content of chia seeds makes them exceptionally well suited to improving digestion and heart health. Not only do chia seeds help to reduce the bad cholesterol in our body, but they also increase the amount of healthy cholesterol we need to reduce the risk of heart disease. Chia seeds can seem a little complex to use at first, but they are actually remarkably easy to incorporate into your diet! The best place to begin is to figure out which texture you would like your chia seeds to be, if you want to add a crunch to a salad then simply sprinkle them on top, if you’re looking to bulk out a smoothie or shake then simply soak them beforehand! Get into the amazing world of superfoods. It’s never been easier!The incredible benefits of the superfoods we’ve mentioned here should already have you reaching for a shopping basket, and thankfully, it’s never been easier. Gone are the days of having to search high and low in supermarkets for the healthy option, by shopping for superfoods at a whole food shop, you can not only discover countless healthy options, but do so at a fraction of the price. There are too many superfoods to discuss in one article, so don’t be afraid to experiment with ones we haven’t mentioned, and in no time, your pantry will be looking healthier than it ever has before. If you’re not sure where to begin, we have an entire section dedicated to delicious, affordable superfoods, available here.

Chia seeds are one of the world's most popular superfoods, they are constantly trending amongst wellness groups, and their versatility means you can add them into pretty much any recipe for a powerful nutritional boost. However for the uninitiated, chia seeds can be an intimidating ingredient to start using, here we’ll break down exactly what they are, how to use them and most importantly their incredible health benefits. What are chia seeds Chia seeds are small edible seeds from the mint family, originating from South America, they have a subtle nutty, almost bitter taste and are small and oval shaped. Historically chia seeds were cultivated by both mayans and Aztecs, forming a key aspect of their diets, due to their use as a long lasting energy source, and they remain just as popular today! As chia seeds have such a subtle flavour, they can be used in both sweet and savoury recipes, but they are arguably most popular in smoothies and milkshakes. What makes chia seeds a superfood There are a few main characteristics of chia seeds that make them so nutritionally incredible, but perhaps most importantly is their status as a complete protein. A complete protein means that a food source has all nine vital amino acids that the body needs, but cannot produce. Chia seeds hold a unique position, as typically complete proteins can be hard to find outside of animal sources, which makes them harder to come by for those on a vegan or plant based diet. On top of their impressive collection of amino acids, chia seeds are also rich in omega 3 fatty acids, which are crucial for both brain and heart health. Chia seeds are also packed full of fibre (with just two tablespoons providing roughly 9.8 grams of dietary fibre) this makes chia seeds a great way to improve your digestion and reduce inflammation. Similarly chia seeds contain a great multitude of antioxidants, which can help protect against inflammation, diabetes and even heart disease. The amazing health benefits of chia seeds As you might have guessed from their incredible nutritional makeup, chia seeds have As we mentioned above, chia seeds are rich in omega 3. Omega 3 fatty acids are another type of nutrient that can be incredibly hard for those on plant based diets to accrue, but it is incredibly important for our health. Not only do omega 3 fatty acids keep our brains and hearts healthy, they are also critical to maintaining good eyesight, and a healthy immune system. In particular chia seeds are rich in alpha-linolenic acid, a specific type of omega 3, which has been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease. The high fibre content of chia seeds we previously mentioned, is another source of their excellent health benefits. The fibre in chia seeds lowers bad cholesterol and triglycerides, while simultaneously increasing heart protective cholesterol. Alongside this, fibre intake has been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease, type two diabetes, inflammation and digestive issues. Alongside these health benefits, chia seeds are also a unique tool for weight loss and appetite management. Because of their high fibre content, chia seeds are excellent at absorbing water, which means when they are in the stomach they form a gel like substance that helps to satiate appetite, reduce cravings and lower caloric intake. How to get the most out of chia seeds Chia seeds are an incredibly versatile ingredient, so it can be a little overwhelming to try to understand all of its uses, here we’ll show you exactly how to get the most from your chia seeds no matter what you want to use them for. You can also simply eat chia seeds straight from the packet as a snack, and avoid the need for any particular prep or research. One of the most common questions when using chia seeds is whether or not you should soak them before adding them to a drink or using them in a recipe, but it really depends on what you are using them for. The best way to decide whether you want to soak your chia seeds or not, is to decide on the texture you would like from them. If you are looking to add a slight crunch to salads, smoothies, cereals or porridge then it is best to simply sprinkle the chia seeds onto them before serving. However if you are looking to create a creamier final result, like chia pudding then you’ll need to soak the chia seeds with a ratio of roughly 1 tablespoon of chia seeds to ¼ of a cup of liquid. In regards to nutrition, it is generally better to soak the chia seeds to improve the rate at which the nutrients are absorbed, and generally make them easier to digest.Similarly if you’re looking to use chia seeds as a weight loss tool, soaking them will provide a better result. As you increase your intake of chia seeds, it is hugely important to make sure you are increasing your water consumption alongside it, not only will this allow you to get the most benefits from it, but it will also make sure that the vast amounts of fibre in chia seeds don’t cause any short term digestive issues. Why you need to include chia seeds in your diet Hopefully from their nutritional power alone you’re already considering incorporating chia seeds into your diet, whether you’re looking to improve your heart health, digestion or protein intake, they really can do it all. By varying how you use them in recipes, or as a snack you can make sure you never get bored of them, and once you start making them a staple ingredient in your pantry you’ll really notice the difference. If after reading this article you’re still unsure on how exactly you want to use chia seeds, we have plenty of great recipes, including this delicious goji berry and chia smoothie so don’t hesitate to get started!