Goji Quality Assurance
Part of the quality assurance of The Tibetan Goji Berry Company are the exceptional facilities and process required for our Goji harvests. Our manufacturing facility complies with the stringent Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), and have also been certified by the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). GMP certification means that the site and methods employed in the production of the precious Goji berry has been subject to a thorough quality control investigation and is certified to be in compliance.
The standards are among the highest in the world, the certification process covers everything from buildings and surrounding grounds, to the equipment, personnel and training, to sanitation and hygiene, to air and water purification, to production and documentation. These standards for manufacturing are the guidelines upon which we base each decision.
Goji – Clean Inside and Out
You will find that our Goji berries are exceptionally clean. The berries are washed in industrial stainless steel rotating drum cleaners equipped with water jets. The water used is from our own underground well, which is naturally of drinking water quality.
This initial wash helps remove dirt and dust, thereby lowering any possible bacteria levels right from the beginning.
The Goji berries are also subject to a very careful grading and sorting system. We make sure there is no extraneous matter, soil, powder, pebbles or dust in the berries you buy. We ship most of our dried berries in vacuum packed bags, further protecting them from damage, insects, dust, and dirt during the shipping process.
We carefully monitor Goji berries for any impurities at our in-house lab where we test for microbial levels and sulfur and pesticide residues. They have year after year always tested pure and free of contaminates.
Proper climate, soil and berry selection are crucial to the medicinal nature of the berries. Most berries or herbs indigenous to one region cannot be properly grown in another. We select the Goji berries grown only in their indigenous soils to guarantee quality and correct species. Our highly trained staff travel throughout Mongolia and Tibet to inspect the wild growing Goji regions to check the Goji vines, soil, and water sources while the berries are growing on vine and during harvest. We have been working with harvesters and grower facilitators since 1974 , educating them about wildcrafting methods, to minimize the endangerment of plant species and of quality control in general.
The Goji berries are shipped straight from the wildcrafters to our GMP certified processing site for increased freshness and potency.
Laboratory Testing
Once the berries arrive, organoleptic inspection and frequent microscopic inspection is used to ensure and verify that the Goji berries are all the correct species and not commonly used substitutes such as the Chinese Lycium B. – wolfberry. Our in-house lab, together with the experience of five herb masters, are on site to make sure that our Goji berries are treated well, have the potency and quality you expect.
The internationally GMP certified facility where the berries are processed has an in-house lab where extensive quality control analysis is performed. All raw materials are identified and basic tests are performed before passing for further inspection.
Chemical analyses including TLC (thin layer chromatography) and HPLC (high performance liquid chromatography) are also used to confirm identification, ensure potency and to test for active constituents.
Tests for moisture content, dissolution, heavy metals (lead, arsenic, mercury, cadmium) and microbial content are performed on every batch of each harvest. Following extensive in-house testing, contaminant testing is conducted again at independent third party labs such as SGS to confirm results and to ensure that our standards of purity and safety are met.
The Process of Cleaning and Drying Goji Berries
The old way of drying and one still used by others selling wolfberry as authentic Goji, is drying the berries in the sun. This is not a complete or thorough process and molds can easily develop. The process we use is low temperature oven drying. This sterilizes the berries and ensures they are well dried and that no molds develop. Drier berries prolong shelf life without preservatives and are lighter, giving you more per pound. In contrast, preserving berries with sulfur keeps them moist without rotting, resulting in up to 15% less berries per pound. To help prevent spoilage we also apply Modified Atmospheric Packaging concepts, namely vacuum packing the herbs after drying to further inhibit the growth of aerobic microorganisms and molds. The Goji berries are never irradiated.
The Science behind the Goji
Vitamins, Minerals, and Amino Acids
Treasured for longevity and energy in the Tibetan culture, Lycium Goji berries became the focus
of recent intense medical research when scientists discovered that these berries contain an abundance of health- promoting constituents including:
- 18 amino acids
- 21 trace minerals
- 6 essential fatty acids
- vitamins B1, B2, B6
- vitamin E
- more antioxidant power than any other food! – Tufts University study
Scientists Find Lycium Goji Berries A Powerful Immune-Supporting Agent
In addition to being the best antioxidant food available, the Goji berry has powerful immune-supporting agents, as verified by modern scientists and have been found to have extremely high levels of immune-stimulating polysaccharides. The Tibetan Lycium berries (Goji) are also an astonishing 16 to 17 percent protein by weight.
Neutralizing Free Radicals
Have you ever seen a peeled apple turn brown? Free radicals are the culprit. The same thing happens when the body is stressed-either physically or mentally, or from environmental toxins.
Free radicals attack the body and are the principal reason for the aging process. Antioxidants help neutralize free radical damage. The greater the amount of antioxidants in the body, the better we can slow down the aging process. Goji berry is one of the most powerful antioxidants known.
Protecting DNA
If free radicals remain unchecked, they can even attack DNA, the blueprint used to create each new cell in the body. If not repaired, damaged DNA copies itself to new cells created. In this manner, each new cell is damaged, and mutation can occur. A number of studies show that the Goji berry is protective against DNA breakage and mutations. Additionally, ellagic acid, found in Goji berries, blueberries and pomegranates has been found to “protect DNA against injury.”
How To Use Goji Berries
Goji berries are easy to use and there are so many ways to enjoy them. Make your own Goji Juice by simply re hydrating the berries in water or juice for about ten minutes and add to your favorite blender drinks. For an affective daily amount you only need a small handful or about 14 grams. Use them in hot and cold cereals, blender drinks, fruit juice blends, tea’s, trail mixes, soups, whole fruit and nut bars, bread, baked goods, salads, and raw food recipes. Let your imagination SOAR with this creative culinary delight!
Visit our Goji recipe page. 
Order these special Goji Berries Here!