Follow Your Heart has used flavors that contain HVP (hydrolyzed vegetable protein) in a small number of our products. It is a common component of many vegetarian natural flavors, also approved for use in certified organic products and, based on our research of this ingredient, we felt comfortable with its safety.  HVP has been criticized by some for being high in free glutamates which, under specific conditions, can create naturally-occurring MSG; however, based on the minute amount of HVP in those products, in addition to our knowledge of the conditions that create MSG, we believed that any natural MSG in those products would be negligible. To be clear, there has never been, nor is there, any ingredient containing HVP in Vegenaise or any of the Vegan Gourmet Dairy Alternative products. This flavoring was used only in some of our fresh deli products, and in one of our salad dressings to impart a more savory note.

After re-evaluating our position on this issue, however, and taking into account the concerns of some consumers, we have decided to discontinue the use of any ingredient containing HVP in any of our products.   Here at Follow Your Heart, we take the safety and quality of our products very seriously and are dedicated to their continuous improvement.  We understand that our customers expect only the best products, made with the highest quality and healthiest ingredients available and we will continue to do everything we can to satisfy those expectations.

Earth Island, the manufacturer of Follow Your Heart brand products, is currently conducting a voluntary recall on its distribution of several products that contain a natural flavor supplied by a third-party supplier.  While the contamination risk did not originate in our facility, we are, nonetheless, taking every precaution to ensure the quality, safety, and integrity of our products.  Earth Island has had no reports of illness from any of the products involved in this recall.

The Follow Your Heart products being recalled are primarily distributed in the Southern California region of the United States, with one exception being our Follow Your Heart Organic Creamy Ranch Dressing.

Follow Your Heart Products involved in the Salmonella recall are listed below. If you have purchased any of the products on this list, please return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.

The following products are distributed nationally:

The following products are distributed in Southern California ONLY:

Follow Your Heart BBQ Braised Tofu – 10 oz

11/10/09 through 03/09/10       0-49568-01001-4

Follow Your Heart BBQ Braised Tofu – 8 lb

11/10/09 through 03/09/10 0-49568-07025-4

Follow Your Heart Cheezy Garlic Pasta – 8 oz

11/10/09 through 03/06/10 0-49568-01006-9

Follow Your Heart Cheezy Garlic Pasta – 7 lb

11/10/09 through 03/06/10 0-49568-04006-6

Follow Your Heart Curried Tofu – 10 oz

11/10/09 through 03/09/10   0-49568-01010-6

Follow Your Heart Curried Tofu with Rice – 7 l

11/10/09 through 03/09/10 0-49568-04011-0

Follow Your Heart Heartsmart Burger – 7 oz

11/10/09 through 03/19/10 0-49568-01098-4

Follow Your Heart Kung Pao Tofu – 10 oz

11/10/09 through 03/08/10 0-49568-01023-6

Follow Your Heart Kung Pao Tofu with Rice – 7 lb

11/10/09 through 03/08/10 0-49568-04003-5

Follow Your Heart Savory Tofu Saute – 10 oz

11/10/09 through 03/10/10   0-49568-01038-0

Follow Your Heart Savory Tofu Saute – 7 lb

11/10/09 through 03/10/10 0-49568-04014-1

Follow Your Heart Smoked “Chicken” Pasta – 8 oz

11/10/09 through 03/14/10 0-49568-01076-2

Follow Your Heart Smoked “Chicken” Pasta – 7 lb

11/10/09 through 03/14/10 0-49568-04076-9

Follow Your Heart Sweet & Sour Tofu – 10 oz

11/10/09 through 03/08/10   0-49568-01430-2

Follow Your Heart Sweet & Sour Tofu – 7 lb

11/10/09 through 03/08/10  0-49568-04430-9

Follow Your Heart Thai Peanut Tofu – 10 oz

11/10/09 through 03/08/10 0-49568-01028-1

Follow Your Heart Thai Peanut Tofu Wrap – 12 oz

11/10/09 through 03/11/10 0-49568-01034-2

Follow Your Heart Thai Peanut Braised Tofu – 8 lb

11/10/09 through 03/08/10   0-49568-04407-1

Follow  Your Heart Texas Tofu – 10 oz

11/10/09 through 03/12/10  0-49568-01037-3

Follow Your Heart Veggie Burrito with Cheese – 12 oz

11/10/09 through 03/05/10 0-49568-01070-0

Follow Your Heart Low Fat Veggie Burrito – 12 oz

11/10/09 through 03/05/10  0-49568-01069-4

Follow Your Heart Beef Al Jus – 224 oz

11/10/09 through 03/19/10   N/A

Follow Your Heart Market and Cafe is pleased to announce the honor bestowed by Vegetarian Times Magazine - Best Veggie Burger!  Thank you once again, Vegetarian Times!

Health and Beauty Author, Kym Douglas was on the Ellen Degeneres show last week extolling the beautifying properties of Vegenaise.

To get the recipe for Grilled Vegetable Corn Cakes with Garlic and Lemon Infused Vegenaise, as featured in our ad on the back cover of Vegetarian Times magazine.

Follow Your Heart presents…

Grilled Vegetable Corn Cakes

6 cups    water

1 tsp       salt

1/2 cup  yellow corn meal

1/2 cup  corn grits

1/2 cup  corn kernels (fresh, frozen, or canned)

4 Tbsp   sugar

4 Tbsp   non-hydrogenated margarine or butter

4 Tbsp   red & green bell peppers, diced

Optional:

1 Tbsp.   fresh cilantro, chopped

               salt and pepper, to taste

In a lightly oiled skillet, roast corn kernels and diced red and green peppers.  Season with salt and pepper to taste and set aside.  In a sauce pan, bring the water to a boil.  Add salt and reduce heat to a simmer.  In a bowl, combine corn meal, corn grits, and sugar.  Slowly (to avoid lumps), stir dry ingredients into simmering water, stirring constantly, until the corn mush becomes thick enough that a wooden spoon will remain upright when placed in the middle. Add margarine to corn mush mixture in small pieces and stir until melted.  Add in roasted corn, peppers, and fresh cilantro (if desired).  Spoon into 2-1/2″ x ¾” stainless ring molds or hand form cakes. Place on waxed paper and refrigerate for a minimum of one hour.  Remove from molds and brown in lightly oiled skillet over medium heat.

Makes 6 to 8 corn cakes

Garlic and Lemon-Infused VEGENAISE^®

To the Vegenaise^® of your choice, simply add fresh garlic (mashed through a garlic press) to taste, and add a light squeeze of lemon juice and a touch of lemon rind.  Or, for a pleasant Southwestern twist, skip the lemon and blend in some chipotle peppers.