Live Gourmet’s Living Upland Cress and Grower Pete’s Organic Watercress Earn Third-Party Certification as Antioxidant Superfoods

 Hollandia Produce, LPs’ Live Gourmet brand Living Upland Cress and Grower Pete’s Organic brand Living Watercress have been certified as antioxidant-rich superfoods based on a laboratory analysis of their antioxidants levels, specifically lutein. Bags of Living Upland Cress and Living Watercress will now feature the Antioxidant Superfood certification label from SCS Global Services (SCS), a third-party certifier of food quality and safety. 

“There are a lot of food products in the marketplace that claim to be rich in antioxidants but very few have any data to back it up. This certification lets our customers know the levels of healthful antioxidants they are getting in every bag,” Vincent Choate, Hollandia’s Director of Marketing said. “This certification promotes transparency while educating consumers and will help our products stand out.”

The laboratory testing, conducted by SCS, confirmed that Live Gourmet Living Upland Cress and Grower Pete’s Organic Watercress contain high quantities of lutein, an antioxidant known to fight cancer-causing free radical compounds. Lutein, which is also found in leafy greens such as spinach and kale, has also been found to support eye health and vision, according to researchers at the American Optometric Association.

“The SCS’ Antioxidant Superfood Certification program was created to help high-antioxidant content products like Living Upland Cress stand out in the marketplace for their verified content. Helping consumers understand what an antioxidant is and how they impact your body is an essential part of promoting healthy eating habits,” Dr. Heidi Wright, SCS’ Food Testing Program Manager said, Dr. Heidi Wright, SCS’ Food Testing Program Manager said.

Hollandia Produce LPs’ Living Upland Cress and Grower Pete’s Organic Watercress are grown in Hollandia’s state-of-the-art hydroponic greenhouses that control for light, temperature, humidity and nutrients, making their products available throughout the year.

The company expects packages featuring the SCS Antioxidant Certification mark to arrive in supermarkets in April 2014.

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Hollandia Produce LP. is a multi-faceted agricultural concern specializing in greenhouse-grown vegetables. Hollandia Produce LP is family owned and operated, is located in Carpinteria, California. In 2014 the company celebrates 44 years in business. The company’s Grower Pete’s and Live Gourmet® family of products are harvested with their roots intact and the lettuces are packaged in a unique see-through clamshell that functions as a mini-greenhouse. As living plants, these products have an exceptional long-lasting freshness that retains flavor and color much longer than comparable varieties in the produce department.

SCS Global Services (SCS) has been providing global leadership in third-party environmental and sustainability certification, auditing, testing, and standards development for over 30 years. Programs span a cross-section of industries, recognizing achievements in green building, product manufacturing, food and agriculture, forestry, and more. SCS is accredited to provide many food safety verifications including SQF, BRC and GLOBALG.A.P. and also provides a full suite of food quality and testing services.