FAQS

Couscous is tiny grains of a round, pre-cooked pasta made in the U.S. from high quality durum (yields a glutinous flour) wheat. It has a nutty, wheat-like flavor and retains a firm bite after cooking. Couscous can be used just like rice or pasta in favorite recipes. Couscous can be used as a side dish, as directed on the package, as an ingredient or as a main dish when chicken, beef, beans or vegetables are added. Cooked and served like rice, couscous has been around for centuries. It's a staple in many cuisines from around the world, where grains, vegetables, fruits and legumes create the foundation of a healthful diet.

Near East^® Couscous is available in 9 unique flavors:
Original Plain
Mediterranean Curry
Herbed Chicken
Parmesan
Roasted Garlic & Olive Oil
Toasted Pine Nut
Wild Mushroom & Herb
Pearled Couscous - Roasted Garlic & Olive Oil
Pearled Couscous - Basil & Herb

Pilafs are rice or grain-based dishes that are simmered in a seasoned broth. The variations of pilaf are as endless as your creativity! Traditional pilafs are combined with toasted pasta. Pilafs can also have ingredients added such as other grains, nuts, legumes, fruits, vegetables, meat or seafood. Pilafs are staples in many cuisines around the world, where grains, vegetables, fruits and legumes create the foundation of a healthful diet.

Near East^® Rice Pilafs and Blends are available in 11 unique flavors:
Original
Original – Heat & Eat
Chicken
Spanish Rice
Garlic & Herb
Roasted Chicken & Garlic
Wild Mushroom & Herb
Long Grain & Wild Rice - Original
Long Grain & Wild Rice – Original – Heat & Eat
Long Grain & Wild Rice - Garlic & Herb
Brown Rice Pilaf

While quinoa is sometimes referred to as a cereal grain, it is actually a seed, but can be prepared like other grains such as rice or barley. Near East offers two varieties of Quinoa Blends:

Roasted Red Pepper & Basil
Rosemary & Olive Oil

Heat & Eat products are microwaveable in just 90 seconds for a quick, convenient side. They can be microwaved directly in the pouch they come in so there’s no additional prep or mess. Our Heat & Eat products are available in the following grain types and flavors:

Rice Pilaf – Original
Long Grain & Wild Rice – Original

Whole Grain Blends combine a variety of appealing ingredients and seasonings with unique grains to create delicious and hearty side dishes. Please see our Recipe Section for many delicious ways to incorporate Whole Grain Blends into your meal repertoire. Versatile and uniquely textured side dishes, each variety combines different grains, like brown rice, barley, pearled wheat and bulgur wheat, with other premium ingredients like roasted pecans, select herbs and roasted garlic. One serving (1 cup prepared) of any Whole Grain Blends product contains an ounce equivalent (one serving) of whole grains.

Whole Grain Blends are available in 1 delectable flavor:
Brown Rice Pilaf

Tabouleh is a blend of bulgur wheat, mint, parsley and garlic. With chopped fresh tomato, lemon juice and olive oil, you can create a cool and refreshing salad that's a great idea for picnics or side dishes.

Near East^® products are not produced organically.

Currently none of our oats, wheat, and rice is derived from GMO technology. However, given we must purchase and mill many bulk grains, such as corn, soy, canola, and flax, there always is a possibility that those grains may contain GMO material. Non-GMO Near East^® grains may come in contact with grain dust from GMO ingredients via common harvesting, handling, and transportation materials and equipment. It is important to note that there is no system in place in the United States that separates these foods. Thus, while we can say with certainty that Near East^® oats, wheat, and rice are not developed through biotechnology, it is feasible that trace amounts of GMO ingredients may be present in some grain-based products. This is likely true of other grain products. Please note that GMO grains available in the U.S. are reviewed and approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.

Any of our food products that contain the most commonly allergenic foods (peanuts, tree nuts, shellfish, fish, egg, wheat, milk and soy) will include these allergens in the ingredient statement. We also highlight any of these allergens in bold letters following the ingredient list with a 'contains' statement to assist all consumers in identifying products containing known allergens. Furthermore, if we feel that the product poses a potential risk from incidental exposure to these top 8 allergens, we will put a 'may contain' statement on the label. We recommend consumers look for this statement each time they purchase a product as formulas may change.

The safety of our products is a top priority. Arsenic is present in nature; as a result, it can be found in low levels in a variety of agricultural products. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regularly evaluates safety data for components like arsenic. There currently haven’t been any findings to cause the FDA to raise health concerns regarding arsenic in the food supply.

While Near East^® is proud to offer a variety of grain dishes to suit many needs and tastes, we cannot guarantee that any of our products are gluten free. Because our products are processed in facilities alongside other ingredients that contain gluten, there is always a slight risk of cross contact.

Products are Kosher-certified Pareve when bearing the circled U symbol on package. That means they are not made with meat or dairy ingredients according to the Kosher certificates for each ingredient. Products containing dairy bear the circled U Dairy symbol. Products containing meat bear the circled U Meat symbol.